For Sale at Auction: 1961 Jaguar E-Type in Las Vegas, Nevada

Chassis No. 876001
Engine No. R2495-9
Transmission No. EB1614JS
Body No. R2252

Riding high from its incredible success at Le Mans throughout the 1950s, Jaguar's racing department was tasked with building a road-going sports car to replace the XK150 using construction techniques pioneered on the D-Type. When unveiled to the public in March 1961, Jaguar's latest creation stunned the motoring world. Powered by a twin-cam 3.8-liter inline-six and featuring unitary body construction, independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes, the new Jaguar was clothed in a sleek and gorgeous body that was like nothing seen before, and the order books were quickly filled.

Numerous refinements and production changes took place over the E-Type's lifespan, and the 1961 3.8-liter roadster offered here, chassis number 876001, hails from the first year of production, with notable early hallmarks including flat floors and welded-in bonnet louvers. The subject of a multi-year, award-winning restoration, this beautiful E-Type is being offered from over 45 years of continuous single-family ownership.

According to the accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, chassis 876001 is the 1001st 1961 E-Type, completed on the 15th of November and finished in Cream over Red upholstery and a black top, destined for Jaguar Cars, New York, and ultimately on to its first owner, Mr. John Kalisel, of Santa Maria California.

Fast forward to 1981 outside of Denver, Colorado, where the consignor's father, a rancher, received this E-Type roadster from his wife as the birthday present of a lifetime. The car was found by his brother-in-law in northeast Colorado, near the Nebraska border. He arranged the purchase, did a bit of sorting, and brought it to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs for the big reveal. The Jaguar came home and spent most of its time in the garage, and the consignor recalls the occasional top-down run when he was young, often seated on the center console between his parents.

Years later, the consignor acquired the complete, albeit somewhat neglected, E-Type from his father's estate. Eager to return it to its original glory, he commissioned a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration to factory-correct specifications. Upon teardown, just a single small spot of corrosion was found, likely from a leaking heater core, while the remainder of the tub and body were found to be remarkably solid, thanks in large part to its easy life in California, Colorado and Kansas. In addition to its original body, it also retains its numbers-matching 3.8-liter XK block and cylinder head, rebuilt by Austin, Texas-based specialists Team CJ.

With its exacting, photo-documented restoration complete, the consignor entered his sparkling E-Type into Jaguar Club of North America concours events. It earned 100 points in the Houston and Pikes Peak Jaguar Club concours events, secured a 2019 JCNA North American Championship award with a cumulative score of 99.97 points, and is reportedly being used as a benchmark for future judging guides.

Proving this is not merely a pampered show car; appearances on tours and rallies including the 2024 Copperstate 1000 and 2024 Going to the Sun Rally have proven it performs as good as it looks. In preparation for driving events, a fully synchronized, rebuilt E-Type Series II transmission was added, and five new Michelin XAS radial tires were recently fitted. The consignor reports the numbers-matching Moss four-speed was retained and will accompany the car upon sale.

Resplendent in its factory-correct Cream over Red color scheme, the sale includes a rare and desirable color-matched removable hard top, along with an extensive history file with hundreds of restoration photos. Offered for the first time in nearly a half-century, this splendid E-Type roadster, beautifully restored and detailed to its original, is now ready for a new custodian to further its remarkable legacy.