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.

This copy was sold in Belgium in 2017. Long before, British Motor Holding in Canada handed this car over to its first owner on September 18, 1968. This was one of the first Series II models to roll off the production line in August 1968. It was fully restored to its original state in 2002, as attested by the enclosed invoices. The bodywork is straight with perfect panels, and the finish and chrome details are equally perfect. The solid chassis shows no signs of corrosion. The mechanics are more than perfect, guaranteeing trouble-free driving and use. The car is finished in its original color, Signal Red, with black leather trim. The interior is fantastic and shows no signs of wear. All this, of course, has been certified by the Jaguar Heritage Trust. It’s an excellent example that has been meticulously restored in keeping with its heritage.

The Jaguar is powered by a 4.2-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine, in this case combined with a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine works like a charm, is delightfully smooth and sounds fantastic. Performance is also impressive, with 269 hp. The suspension and brakes are also in good condition and offer a pleasant driving experience.

The car is “Matching Numbers” and has a large restoration file.