3,781cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 SU Carburetors
265bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Numbers matching example
*Well preserved older restoration
*Stunning Series I E-Type Roadster ready to be shown at Concours events or driven on rallies
*Accompanied by Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate

THE JAGUAR E-TYPE

In 1958, Jaguar technical director, William Heynes, and designer, Malcolm Sayer, convinced their boss, Sir William Lyons, that a new production sports model was needed. Thus, the E-Type was born; one of Jaguar's longest-running and most revered models.

Actually, the E-Type already existed conceptually. Developed from the racing D-Type in 1956, it had been put aside when Lyons abruptly canceled the competition program. Dusting off the prototype, an aluminum-bodied roadster with 3.4-liter XK engine and independent front and rear suspension, Heynes and Sayer reengineered it for steel, and a 3.8-liter engine as used in the Mk IX saloon.

The engine and transmission aside, the production E-Type was all new. It combined a multi-tube front chassis with a monocoque center section. Front suspension was similar to the XK 150's wishbones and torsion bars, but the rear was revolutionary. Comprising transverse lower links and fixed-length driveshafts, its wheels were suspended on coil spring-shock absorber units—two to a side. The differential was mounted to a hefty steel crossmember and hosted inboard disk brakes. Anti-roll bars were installed front and rear.

At 2,520 pounds, it was 500 pounds lighter than the XK 150 and more powerful to boot. The 3.8-liter twin cam engine was fed through three SU side draft carbs and developed 265bhp. A top speed of 150mph was easily achieved with the standard 3.31 to 1 gearing, and some speculated that optional taller gears would be good for more. In its day, the E-Type was bested only by Ferraris and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Its debut came at the March 1961 Geneva Motor Show, to universal applause and plaudits from the pundits.

From the start there were two models, a soft top with roll-up windows, called "Roadster," and a fixed-head Coupe. At $5,595 for the Roadster and $300 more for the Coupe, it was more than twice the price of an MGA.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Completed at Jaguar's Browns Lane works on January 10, 1964, this lovely Series I 3.8-Liter Roadster was configured in Carmine Red over Black leather with left-hand drive steering and destined for the North American market. The new Jaguar was dispatched from the works on February 3, 1964, and headed to Jaguar Cars New York, which is listed as the selling dealer on the Jaguar issued Heritage Trust Certificate.

The earliest history of this Jag is yet unknown at the time of cataloging, but it was restored in the mid-1990s to a very high level—at which time the interior and top were changed from black to tan—and the restoration has stood the test of time. Moving out east, the penultimate owner, a gentleman from the Philadelphia area, acquired the car in the early aughts. Happy with the cosmetics but feeling the motor not quite up to the quality of the looks, he sent the car to Cloverleaf Services in Malvern, Pennsylvania to bring things up to snuff. Cloverleaf rebuilt the motor to a slightly higher spec, including balancing and blueprinting it—invoices on record detail the work completed. The current owner, who has had the car for a few years now, redid the steering rack last winter and has made sure that the fluid services have been completed.

Most importantly, the original engine and cylinder head have remained with the car since leaving the factory—the transmission has been swapped with a fully synchronized unit from a later 4.2 model but the original transmission is included. Described by the seller as a silky smooth, rocket ship fast car, it will be accompanied by service records and its Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. Expertly restored E-Types, like the one presented here, are highly sought after by collectors all around the world. With the vehicle on offer being in such fine condition, there is no better opportunity to put yourself behind the wheel of one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century.