The beauty, versatility, and performance of Jaguar’s venerable E-Type needs little further explanation to collector car enthusiasts. While the earliest variants continue to garner attention for the purity of the original design, the later Series I 4.2-Litre cars introduced in 1966 have been increasingly recognized as the sweet spot in the model’s lineup. Improvements in comfort, performance, and useability combined with the earlier model’s styling offer the astute enthusiast an unmatched ownership experience.

According to its JDHT Certificate, the incredible 1966 E-Type Series I Roadster offered here was built on December 2, 1965 and originally finished in its current shade of Opalescent Silver Blue over dark blue leather. A manufacturer’s warranty pamphlet on file shows the Jaguar was purchased new through Bob Moring Motors by James H. Summers of Houston, Texas. A copy of a Texas title issued in 1968 shows the car in the ownership of Pete Garcia of Houston, and a subsequent title documents the sale of the Jaguar to Thomas Smith, also of Houston, in 1979. The following year Bruce Archinal of The Woodlands, Texas purchased the E-Type and retained it for 38 years.

During Mr. Archinal’s nearly four decades of stewardship, the Jaguar was cared for and serviced, as documented by numerous receipts on file, but it was beyond his abilities to keep the Jaguar running as it should. In late 2011, Mr. Archinal commissioned the renowned marque experts at Jeff’s Resurrections in Taylor, Texas to restore his faithful steed. Sparing no expense or effort, the E-Type was completely disassembled and brought back to better-than-new condition. Careful attention was paid to correct finishes and detailing, and sensible upgrades were made such as modernized engine internals and the addition of a Welsh five-speed gearbox. Carefully chronicled with invoices and spreadsheets on file, the total cost of this incredible restoration was in excess of $238,000.

Finished in early 2013, this now world-class Jaguar E-Type made its debut in a Jaguar Club of North America (JCNA) concours competition. Participating in the competitive class C5, the car was judged a perfect 100 points no fewer than four times that year, in addition to receiving near-perfect scores of 99.94 and 99.98. The considerable efforts of Archinal and his team resulted in the 2013 JCNA National Championship for class C5. Additional accolades in the following years included class wins at the Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance and Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Best of Show at multiple JCNA competitions through 2015.

Maintained by Jeff’s Resurrections until its sale to the consignor in 2018, this lovely E-Type remains in concours condition, a testament to the quality of its original restoration and astute care since. Accompanied at auction by a fastidiously compiled history file dating to new, show placard, tool kit, manuals, and numerous trophies and ancillaries, this Jaguar remains a top-level example of one of the most desirable automobiles in the world. Rarely are we treated with the opportunity to purchase a collector car of such inherent quality, ideal specification, and with such a well-rounded resume of accomplishments.