LOT 53

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Coupe Chassis no. 1E-31580 Engine no. 7E51048-9 (see text)

Sold for US$61,600 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 53

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Coupe

The Scottsdale Auction|16 January 2020, 11:00 MST|Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Coupe
Chassis no. 1E-31580
Engine no. 7E51048-9 (see text)

4,235cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
265bhp at 5,400rpm
3 SU Carburetors
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Excellent for High speed rallies
*One of the best looking designs of the 20th century
*JCNA Heritage Certificate

THE JAGUAR E-TYPE

If Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans has been responsible for the new E-Type Jaguar, then that Homeric contest on the Sarthe circuit will have been abundantly justified. Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.

There have been few better summaries of the E-Type's manifest virtues than the forgoing, penned by the inimitable John Bolster for Autosport shortly after the car's debut. Conceived and developed as an open sportscar, the Jaguar E-Type debuted at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 in Coupé form. The car caused a sensation - spontaneous applause breaking out at the unveiling - with its instantly classic lines and a 140mph-plus top speed. The design owed much to that of the racing D-Type, a monocoque tub forming the main structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the 3.8-liter, triple-carburetor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. Aerodynamically, the Coupé was superior to the Roadster and the better Grand Tourer, enjoying as it did a marginally higher top speed and the considerable convenience of a generously sized luggage platform accessed via the side-hinged rear door.

Its engine aside, only in terms of its transmission did the E-Type represent no significant advance over the XK150, whose durable four-speed Moss gearbox it retained. The latter was replaced when the 4.2-liter engine was introduced on the Series 1 in October 1964, a more user-friendly all-synchromesh gearbox and superior Lockheed brake servo forming part of the improved specification together with the bigger, torquier engine. Apart from '4.2' badging, the car's external appearance was unchanged, but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements, chiefly to the electrical and cooling systems, and to the seating arrangements. Top speed remained unchanged at around 150mph, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine is more torque available at lower RPM.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to the Jaguar Heritage Certificate on file, this particular XKE Coupe was constructed on August 20, 1965. It was originally primrose with black interior. Like many XKE's, this particular example was built for export and dispatched to Jaguar Cars, in New York. The first owner of this XK was not recorded.

In the 1990s the car passed to a collector based in the Pacific Northwest. At this time the car had been restored and painted in its current color scheme of red with a black interior. It would remain in the hands of this collector until his passing recently when it was acquired by the consignor.

Today, the car is in good running or order having been with a single caring owner for over half its life. At some point in time, the car had its engine replaced. The current unit and cylinder head numbers indicate it is from a series 1 2+2 car, which is to the identical specification as the original.

The paintwork and upholstery present very well. E-Type coupes make wonderful road cars and are fantastic event cars. This particular example is in good order and would be a great car for weekend shows or drivers events.

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