1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster

• Delivered new to Italy
• Left-hand drive
• Resident in the UK since 2019
• Extensive professional refurbishment (bills available)

Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 to universal acclaim, the Jaguar E-Type was built in 'Series 1' form until 1968. It was at the time, and still is, the most iconic British sports car ever made. Series 1 cars were powered initially by the legendary 3.8-litre XK straight-six engine producing around 265bhp, which was good enough for a top speed of 150mph with the 0-60mph dash achieved in just 6.4 seconds: performance figures that were simply astonishing at the time. The E-Type also featured a Moss four-speed manual gearbox; power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes; and Jaguar's innovative coil-sprung independent rear suspension, while the interior boasted aluminium surfaces; leather bucket seats; a leather-trimmed dashboard; and a beautifully crafted wood-rim steering wheel. The Jaguar E-Type represents the perfect harmony of design, technological innovation and superlative performance, and will forever live on as one of Britain's finest contributions to automobile design; indeed, even Enzo Ferrari, no less, was forced to concede that the E-Type was 'the most beautiful car ever made'.

Left-hand drive chassis number '878588' was delivered new to Italy in 1962 and remained there for the next 57 years, although little of its early life was documented. However, FIVA papers on file reveal that the car was registered with the Automotoclub Storico Italiano while in previous ownership.

Finished in Signal Red with black leather interior, this car has matching engine and chassis numbers and was purchased by the current keeper and brought back to the UK in 2019. The owner's main objective was to achieve a mechanical restoration: within the car's first four months in the UK, over £16,000 worth of work had been completed by Classic Motor Cars Ltd. CMC went through the mechanicals and made sure that period-correct replacement parts were fitted, ensuring that the E-Type would be ready to go on any occasion. Since then, the car has been looked after predominantly by Winspeed Motorsport, the Guildford-based Jaguar specialists, and also by Classic Performance Engineering (there are invoices totalling another £24,000 on file). As part of its preparation for sale the car was treated to a paint correction, engine bay detail, underside clean, and fabric roof clean with Gtechniq hood sealant applied.