1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre 'Flat Floor' Coupé

• Rare and desirable 'flat floor' model
• Bare-shell restoration by Richards of England in 2016-18
• Full matching numbers
• Finished in original Imperial Maroon

Dating from the first year of production, this beautifully restored E-Type, chassis number '860120', was completed on 8th December 1961 and is one of the coveted early 'flat floor' models. The car was finished in Imperial Maroon with matching trim and dispatched via Henlys, London on 10th January 1962. It is believed that it was then sold to a wealthy farmer, Albie Malan, in Ladybrand, South Africa.

The E-type is believed to have been acquired in the 1980s by the owner of Dorian Hats in Johannesburg. Used infrequently, it was bought by John Lawrence in Auckland in 1988 and shipped out to New Zealand where it would remain for more than 25 years. Records from the car's annual Warrant of Fitness Inspection show that it was used sparingly from 2003 onwards, covering a little over 2,000 miles until it was sold to a new owner and exported to the UK in 2015.

When it arrived, the Jaguar was entrusted to Lincoln-based Richards of England and given a thorough restoration. The car was completely stripped down and the shell fitted to a jig before being bead-blasted back to bare metal. It then received in the region of 500 hours of work in the Richards of England fabrication department, the intention being to retain as many original panels as possible.

The E-Type was resprayed in its original Imperial Maroon livery and displayed mid-restoration at the London Classic Car Show. The engine was rebuilt by M&C Wilkinson, the gearbox and differential were rebuilt also, and all of the brightwork was re-chromed. Inside, Maroon Connolly Vaumol hide was used for the seats and centre console, while woollen carpets and a wool headlining was fitted. The original alloy dashboard and wood-rimmed steering wheel were retained, and Richards of England even considered details such as using the correct 'mid blue' colour on the Girling dampers and creating an aluminium replica of the early 'side fin' radiator, which has been painted black.

Now offered for sale, this Jaguar E-type 'Flat Floor' is the 120th right-hand drive Coupé in terms of chassis-number sequence and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a superb matching-numbers example of this iconic model.