Cars

The Jaguar E-Type was unveiled for the first time on March 15, 1961 in Geneva, to the enthusiasm of the international press. Sir William Lyons, Jaguar’s founder, realized he had something very special on his hands, and had a second car delivered overnight from Coventry to Switzerland so he could carry out more tests at the show.

The E-Type was a revolutionary car in many ways, but it was Malcolm Sayer’s magnificent bodywork that set it apart from all the other cars on the road. With its streamlined headlamps, long, sculpted nose and double-centered exhaust, it had no equal and remains a unique proposition today. The E-Type is still considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars of all time, with Enzo Ferrari famously describing it as “the most beautiful car in the world”.

But it wasn’t just its looks that made the E-Type a revelation: with a launch price of around £2,250 (about £38,000 in today’s money), it was surprisingly affordable. Dig a little deeper into the car’s technical details, and you’ll discover that it featured monocoque construction, independent rear suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes: all very advanced features for the 1960s.

The Jaguar Type E’s 3.8-liter in-line six-cylinder engine took part in five Le Mans victories for Jaguar in the 1950s (on the Jaguar Type C and Type D) and, with its 265 hp, it’s no slouch by today’s standards. It was claimed that the car could reach 150 mph, making it for a time the fastest production car in the world.

Retaining the sublime allure of the original while benefiting from a larger engine and a fully synchronized gearbox, the Series 1 “4.2” is considered by many to be the most desirable E-type variant and is much sought-after today.

Manufactured on October 8, 1964 and delivered to Montreal, Canada later that month, this first “4.2” was originally finished in “triple black” (exterior, interior, hood). In the 1990s, the E-type was exported to Vicenza, Italy, where it remained with the same owner until 2014. The Italian owner carried out a complete restoration and used the car only occasionally after its restoration. The car retains a period engine (stamped 7E1907-9) and gearbox.

Since acquiring the Type E, the current owner has installed a Brantz Tripmaster, while in 2019, work has been carried out to the tune of €6,000. The 4.2-liter engine works very well, and there’s no denying that with the rare hardtop in place, this E-Type is most attractive, finished in the elegant mid-gray-blue color combination with a handsome dark blue leather interior, blue hardtop and blue convertible top!

The car has covered just under 15,000 km since its total restoration and is in excellent condition, chassis, body and interior alike.