"Introduced in 3.8-litre form in May 1961, the Jaguar E-Type caused a major sensation when it appeared, with instantly classic lines and 150mph top speed. While, inevitably, the car's stupendous straight-line performance and gorgeous looks grabbed the headlines, there was a lot more to the E-Type beneath the skin. The design owed much to that of the racing D-Type. Indeed, the E-Type would be one of the last great sports cars developed directly from a successful competition ancestor. Just as in the D-Type, a monocoque tub formed the main body/chassis structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the same 3.8-litre, triple-carburettor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. With a claimed 265 horsepower on tap, the E-Type's performance did not disappoint; firstly, because it weighed around 500lb less than the XK150 and secondly because of experience gained with the D-Type they created one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car. Developed from that of the original XK120 sports car and refined in the racing D-Type, the double wishbone, independent front suspension was mounted on the forward sub-frame that supported the engine. At the rear the E-Type's suspension broke new ground for a large-capacity sports car, being independent at a time when most of its major rivals relied on the traditional live rear axle. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted to all four wheels; those at the rear being mounted inboard alongside the differential to reduce unsprung weight. Only in terms of its transmission did the E-Type represent no significant advance over the XK150, whose durable four-speed Moss gearbox it retained. But of all the versions of Jaguar's long-lived and much-loved sports car, it is the very early 'flat floor' 3.8-litre cars built prior to February 1962 which, for many enthusiasts, remain the most desirable.
This very early, excellent, left hand drive, Series I E-Type ‘Flat Floor’ Roadster, with matching numbers, pressed bonnet louvers, double boot hinges and one of the first cars to be fitted with internal bonnet locks was supplied new to Fattori & Montani in Rome, Italy in September 1961. The roadster was ordered without a soft-top but with the factory hardtop. It was imported to the UK in 2013 just after being fully restored which also involved changing the colour scheme from the original cream with black leather interior to the stunning combination of British Racing Green with light tan leather interior. In 2019 the current owner had a new Jaguar hood frame fitted and had it covered with black cloth. More recently he has had it re-detailed which included removing the rear subframe for repainting. This rare flat-floor is supplied with a UK V5C registration document, the Heritage Certificate, an MoT test certificate from when the car was imported and the original Italian registration documents. This is an opportunity to purchase not only the most sought-after E-type model - the 3.8 litre, 'flat floor', but one which has been beautifully restored.
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