Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 132
1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Roadster Chassis no. 1E 11449 Engine no. 7E 5488-9
Sold for US$162,400 inc. premium
Lot 132
A beautiful example with an outstanding specialist restoration
1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Roadster
1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Roadster
The Audrain Concours Auction|4 October 2024, 17:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Roadster
Chassis no. 1E 11449
Engine no. 7E 5488-9
Chassis no. 1E 11449
Engine no. 7E 5488-9
4,235cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 SU Carburetors
265bhp at 5,400rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Highly desirable covered headlamp, 4.2-Liter Roadster
*Striking concours quality finished in Opalescent Dark Green over Biscuit leather
*Numbers matching and superbly detailed
*Reportedly restored from a solid, rust-free base
*Restored by a marque specialist for his personal enjoyment
*Updated with a 3.31 rear axle ratio for improved high-speed touring
*Built to excel on tour or the show field
THE JAGUAR E-TYPE
The Jaguar E-Type is revered as one of the most beautiful sports cars ever created, and its desirability has hardly abated from the day it was unveiled to shocked onlookers at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. Produced between 1961 and 1975, the E-Type evolved through several generations, beginning with the 3.8-liter Series 1, and culminating with the vastly transformed twelve-cylinder Series 3. For collectors and driving enthusiasts the consensus is that the Series 1 4.2-liter coupe and roadster represent the sweet spot in the E-Type's lineage.
Benefitting from numerous improvements over the 3.8-Litrer, the Series 1 4.2 brings a larger torque-rich engine, improved servo-assisted brakes, a fully synchronized gearbox, and a more comfortable, user-friendly cockpit. While the changes under the skin elevate the E-Type driving experience, the beauty and sex-appeal of the original design is left fully intact. Coveted by enthusiasts around the world, S1 4.2 E-Types are considered essential collector cars, and superb examples are found in the world's most prominent collections.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1966 E-Type 4.2 OTS is truly outstanding inside and out, benefiting from a full restoration by a highly-regarded marque specialist, JK Restorations of Oswego, Illinois. According to the Jaguar Heritage Certificate, this car was built on August 27, 1965, and dispatched on October 6 to Jaguar Cars, New York. When it was nearly new, a young man from Los Angeles received this Jaguar as a high-school graduation gift in the spring of 1967. While attending USC, he apparently didn't use his Jaguar very much, and by the time it was parked-up in the late 70s with running issues, it had very low mileage.
Remarkably, the E-Type stayed in his possession until 2014, when he sent it to JK Restorations to be evaluated for restoration. When confronted with the estimate, he elected to sell the car to the owner of JK Restorations, Jim Kakuska, who bought it for his personal collection. Despite showing its age from years of storage, Jim and his brother Gary found it to be the most solid, rust-free E-Type they'd ever seen. An incorrect bonnet was fitted in the 1970s, and some very minor repairs related to that, yet the remaining sheet metal, body tub, firewall, and subframes were in superb original condition. They took great care to preserve original spot welds and assembly imperfections to ensure these details were not "restored away."
JK reportedly acquired numerous NOS parts for the restoration, fitted to a beautifully restored body finished in a period-correct shade of Opalescent Dark Green paired with a tan canvas top and biscuit leather interior. Chrome wire wheels are fitted with period-correct Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet radials to maintain an authentic look.
The interior trim was crafted by an upholstery specialist from scratch (not a kit) and finished to concours quality standards using correct materials. This car retains its original, numbers-matching block and head, completely rebuilt in 2016 during the restoration. Notable work includes a reground crank, new rod and main bearings, new cylinder sleeves as a matter of course, new pistons, and much more. The original gearbox was reportedly rebuilt with new synchros and bearings, and the rear diff fitted with 3.31:1 gears, vastly improving high-speed cruising ability over the standard 3.54s. The undercarriage and suspension are fully detailed with highlights including correctly painted suspension and a polished Bell stainless steel exhaust. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer shows 699 miles, which reportedly amounts to the total mileage since the restoration was completed in 2017.
This Jaguar E-Type is outstanding in virtually every respect, and the meticulous nature of the restoration shines through in the details. The restorer built this Jaguar from the ground up to excel at JCNA concours events, while also being a reliable, highly capable rally and event car. With only moderate use since its completion, this stunning Jaguar is prime and ready for its next custodian to enjoy to the fullest.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Auction Viewings
- 3 October 2024, 09:00 - 18:00 EDT
- 4 October 2024, 09:00 - 16:00 EDT
