1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster

• Left-hand drive
• Extensive professional restoration 2017-2021 (£140,000 spent)
• Wider-than-standard wheels/tyres
• Stainless steel exhaust
• Restoration works documented

Introduced in 3.8-litre form in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type caused a sensation when it appeared, with instantly classic lines and 150mph top speed. Its 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-litre, triple-carburettor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the XK150. An optimistic 265bhp was claimed, but whatever the installed horsepower, the E-Type's performance did not disappoint; firstly, because it weighed around 500lb (227kg) less than the XK150 and secondly because aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer used experience gained with the D-Type to create one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car. 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.

Today, the E-Types graceful lines live on in modern Jaguar sports cars, and there can be little doubt that William Lyons' sublime creation would feature in any knowledgeable enthusiast's 'Top Ten' of the world's most beautiful cars of all time. Indeed, even Enzo Ferrari felt obliged to concede that the E-type was 'the most beautiful car ever made'.

This left-hand drive Series 1 E-Type was purchased in 2016 by the previous owner from an auction in France (cost €115,000). The car was then brought to the UK and extensively restored between 2017 and 2021, the main restoration work being carried out by Incarnation Ltd (later Motolocation) of Essex, with further works by Classic & Sports Cars of Essex. The aforementioned owner then fell ill and the E-Type was purchased from Classic & Sports Cars by our vendor. While the car was with Classic & Sports Cars the windscreen was replaced, as it was scratched, and the speedometer and rev counter wired directly rather than through the dynamo/alternator. Some less-than-perfect areas were re-chromed.

The wider-than-standard 15" wheels are shod with Dunlop SP Sport tyres, which have covered a maximum of 250 miles, while the exhaust and manifold have been upgraded to stainless steel race specification. The vendor was told that the engine was upgraded during the restoration, as verified by accompanying documents in the file, which also contains a complete record of the restoration, including receipts totalling £140,000.