An undisputed icon of motoring, the Jaguar E-Type combined race-proven engineering with gorgeous styling that has earned it a rightful place in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. The most desirable E-Types are the Series I models fitted with glass-covered headlamps and diminutive taillights, with the early production 3.8-litre examples highly sought after by discerning collectors. Those built in 1961, the first year of E-Type production, are especially prized, particularly those with a combination of welded-in louvered panels on the bonnet and flat floorboards.

The 3.8-litre Roadster offered here was exported to the US in December 1961 and, due to the J-62 tag riveted near the chassis plate, was very likely first sold in California. The current owner, a Southern California resident, purchased the E-Type in Santa Monica in 1998, and it has been maintained thereafter by Doctor Jaguar of Costa Mesa. After nearly two decades in his care, the owner retained Dave Ferguson, the renowned Jaguar restoration specialist and his team at Images Auto Body of Campbell, California, to perform a no-expense-spared, show-quality restoration in 2020. The E-Type is now again finished in its factory color of Cream with Black leather interior and soft top, also matching its original appearance, having been provided by noted Jaguar trim specialists BAS Ltd. of Palm Springs, California.

According to the consignor, the restoration included a rebuild of the drivetrain, including the matching-numbers engine and, thoughtfully, the installation of a BorgWarner five-speed gearbox, which greatly enhances the E-Type’s driveability in city traffic as well as on open roads. Additionally, it wears a new set of slightly wider wire wheels than the 1961 specification to allow the installation of wider, better-handling tires. Since the completion of this outstanding restoration, the Roadster has been stored in a climate-controlled garage, and having covered fewer than 100 miles since restoration, its presentation is simply superb.

As a 1961-built example, this Jaguar displays proper first-production-year features, including the original restored steering wheel, beveled door finishers, narrow bumper over-riders, and, of course, the aluminum interior trim and rounded seatbacks common to early examples. Benefiting from minimal use since its restoration, and offered in its attractive, original colors, this spectacular E-Type Roadster will be a grand addition to any collector’s stable and suitable for most any special outing.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1962.