1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Litre Coupe Series 1

Chassis no. 860029   Engine no. R 2705-9

The Jaguar E-Type is a British automobile legend; manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 
and 1975. It combined good looks, high performance and competitive pricing that instantly 
captured the imagination of the British public at the time and it has remained a truly iconic 
piece of British motoring history since.  It was voted “the most beautiful car of all time” by 
the Daily Telegraph; Sports Car International Magazine placed the E Type at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the decade. On the cars public release in 1961, Enzo Ferrari called it “The most beautiful car ever made”.

The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market launch came four months later in July 1961. The cars at this time used the triple SU carbureted 3.8 litre six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S. After that, the floors were dished to provide more leg room and the twin hood latches moved to inside the car. The 3.8-litre engine was increased to 4.2 litres in October 1964.

All E-Types featured independent coil spring rear suspension with torsion bar front ends, and four wheel disc brakes, in-board at the rear, all were power-assisted. Jaguar was one of the first vehicle manufacturers to equip cars with disc brakes as standard from the XK150 in 1958. The Series 1 can be recognised by glass-covered headlights (up to 1967), small “mouth” opening at the front, signal lights and tail-lights above bumpers and exhaust tips under the number plate in the rear.

We understand from the historical documents that accompany the Jaguar that our E Type was the 28th Right Hand Drive FHC variant to come off the production line and was exported new to Jaguar Cars of New York in 1961 where the car then spent most of its life. Upon our acquisition we carried out a detailed interior and mechanical restoration totaling in excess of £21,500 and 168 hours dedicated labour hours to return the Jaguar to near original manufactured standards.

Finished in its original manufactured colour scheme of Opalescent Blue with a Dark Blue hide interior: this is a unique opportunity to acquire an early, beautifully restored series 1 FHC