1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Coupé

• UK registered then exported new to the USA
• Converted from left- to right-hand drive
• Matching numbers
• Original registration
• Extensive mechanical overhaul including full engine rebuild (bills available)
• Present enthusiast ownership since 2017

According to records obtained, chassis number '886776' was manufactured on 3rd September 1962, despatched from the factory on 2nd October and sold directly to 'Home Delivery'. The car was registered in Coventry as '3234 WK' and transferred by Jaguar Cars Ltd on 27th September 1962 to a Mr P H Crandon of Pall Mall, London for 'Personal Export' to the USA, where the local climate seems to have been kind to the Jaguar's underpinnings. The accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate records the original colour scheme as Opalescent Silver Blue with Dark Blue interior trim. The vendor has tried to make contact with Mr Albert V Yersavich in the USA, who quite probably owned the E-Type in the 1980s, but received no reply; according to Mr Yersavich's Auto Insurance ID Card, a Ford and a Cadillac shared the Jaguar's garage.

The V5 registration document suggests that '3234 WK' was repatriated to the UK and registered on 23rd of May 1991 to Joseph William Gazey, a jeweller from Totnes, Devon, receiving the age-related registration mark 'FSK 519'. Mr Gazey obtained a Manufacturer's Statement of Build on 30th March 1990. Sadly, Joe Gazey died, and some time afterwards (in December 2012) the Jaguar was purchased from his widow by the next owner.

In November 2014, the car's new owner put in hand a major mechanical restoration with Devon Jaguar specialists, S&P Auto Services Ltd, who had previously rebuilt the engine of his Series 3 XJ6. The E-Type's original cylinder block was re-bored and the crankshaft de-plugged and polished, which together with the cylinder head overhaul was contracted out to Bridgewater-based precision engineers, Thomas Hamlin & Co. The engine was then reassembled with all new bearings, pistons, timing chains, oil pump, water pump, etc, etc.

Other works carried out included rebuilding the dynamo; fitting a new radiator, electric fan, hoses, and thermostat; overhauling the heating system with a new matrix, blower motor, fan, ducting kit, etc; Rebuilding the front suspension; installing new wiring looms throughout; reconditioning the carburettors; replacing the clutch, slave cylinder and pipes; installing a new fuel tank and pump; servicing the rear brakes and suspension; and fitting a stainless steel exhaust system. The front brake callipers had already been upgraded, probably in period. S&P's breakdown of their work is on file together with related invoices. In 2016, the Jaguar's interior was fully re-trimmed.

This car has matching numbers. With regard to the chassis number, '886776', this is correct as confirmed by both the Manufacturer's Statement of Build supplied by Jaguar Cars Exports Ltd, and the Jaguar Heritage Certificate. On a copy of the Record of Registration of Motor Vehicles supplied by the Coventry Transport Museum, the chassis number is shown as '886276'. This one-digit difference has been accepted as a clerical error by both the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club and the DVLA, which has allowed the E-Type to be reunited with its original registration number, '3234 WK'.

Our vendor purchased the E-Type at Bonhams' sale at the Goodwood Revival Meeting in September 2017 (Lot#280). Since then he has added the final touches by replacing all the chrome and fitting seat belts. Accompanying documentation, including some American history, is contained in three large lever-arch files.