Once called “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari, Jaguar introduced the XKE Series 1 in 1961 in both hardtop and roadster forms. Initially, all cars came with the 3.8-liter inline-6 engine previously used in the XK150s. By mid-1964, the engine size increased to 4.2 liters, which remained the standard engine all the way through the end of the Series II in 1970. Due to the change in engine offering halfway through the production of the Series 1, enthusiasts often refer to the 4.2 cars as “Series 1.5” or “Series 1-1/2”, making the 3.8 Series 1 cars more desired among collectors.
This particular Jaguar is a true Series 1 equipped with the 3.8-liter engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. It’s finished in Carmen Red with a tan leather interior and matching tan soft-top. The interior features an original-spec wood steering wheel and shift knob, as well as a working original-style radio. It’s equipped with original-style multi-spoke knockoff wheels with original style Micheline XVS tires.
