1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster
Registration no. HKH 861C
Chassis no. 1E10161

'If Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans has been responsible for the new E-Type Jaguar, then that Homeric contest on the Sarthe circuit will have been abundantly justified. Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.'

There have been few better summaries of the E-Type's manifest virtues than the forgoing, penned by the inimitable John Bolster for Autosport shortly after the car's debut. Conceived and developed as an open sportscar, the Jaguar E-Type debuted at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 in Coupé form. The car caused a sensation - spontaneous applause breaking out at the unveiling - with its instantly classic lines and a 150mph top speed.

Today, the E-Type's graceful lines live on in modern Jaguar sports cars, and there can be little doubt that William Lyons' sublime creation would feature in any knowledgeable enthusiast's 'Top Ten' of the world's most beautiful cars of all time. Indeed, even Enzo Ferrari felt obliged to concede that the E-type was 'the most beautiful car ever made'. Retaining the sublime looks of the original while benefiting from the larger engine and the all-synchromesh gearbox, the Series 1 4.2 is considered by many to be the most desirable E-type variant and is highly sought after today.

Boasting matching numbers and original body tags, etc, this example was purchased for his private collection by the enthusiast vendor in August 2015. The E-Type had covered only 67,500 miles from new and had been off the road, dry stored, for a number of years; it is believed it was last used in 1976. The E-Type's body-off restoration commenced in January 2016, the job being entrusted to marque specialists XK Engineering in Coventry. The body was stripped completely and restored by Stallion of Nottingham, whose work has won many awards in Ferrari and Jaguar circles. The car was then reassembled by XK Engineering with every part either replaced or restored: new suspension, brakes, wheels, tyres, wiring loom, chrome, interior trim, etc. The car was changed to right-hand drive during the restoration – extensive bills are on file viewing of which are highly recommended.

Since its completion in early spring 2019, the E-Type has covered only 28 shakedown miles to eliminate any snags. The result is a concours contender retaining its original matching-numbers engine, gearbox, axles, and body, which also has a good history.