To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Monterey event, 18 - 20 August 2022.

• Powered by a 3.8-liter straight-six engine coupled to a four-speed manual transmission
• Retains its numbers-matching chassis, cylinder head, and engine block
• Supplied new to Jaguar Cars, New York, USA
• Currently finished in a striking livery of black paintwork, black leather and a black convertible top
• Accompanied by a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, jack, tools, restoration file, and a spare wheel

Following the international debut of the Jaguar E-Type at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the world of sports cars changed forever. A new standard in styling and performance had been set by Malcolm Sayer’s curvaceous design, against which all future rivals would be measured. The ground-breaking machine was not only achingly attractive—it was truly fast. The potent combination of a 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine, three Weber carburetors, and a Moss four-speed manual gearbox offered both spritely acceleration and a remarkable top speed of 150 mph. Nowhere was this turn of pace better demonstrated than in the hours leading to the E-Type’s launch, as Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis drove flat-out through the night to deliver the show car—77RW—to Jaguar’s stand on time.

This left-hand-drive Series 1 Roadster, chassis 881715, reached completion on 18 June 1964, leaving Jaguar’s Brown’s Lane factory finished in Opalescent Maroon with a Maroon leather interior and Black convertible top. It was dispatched to the firm’s US concessionaire, Jaguar Cars, New York, on 29 June 1964.

Though little is known about the early history of chassis 881715, in later life this E-Type was the recipient of a thorough restoration, with over 150 pages of invoices on file that show no part of this Jaguar was left untouched between 2016–2019. The car was stripped back, with sheet metal replaced where necessary; all-new running gear and hardware was fitted throughout, alongside a new wiring harness, interior, and brightwork, while the cylinder head and engine—the numbers-matching units according to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust production record trace certificate on file—were rebuilt with new pistons. Components for the restoration were supplied by SNG Barrett Group, XKs Unlimited, and various other North American specialists.

Chassis 881715 was then finished in an elegant triple-black color scheme, with the bodywork, interior and convertible top all finished in matching black. In 2019, nearly $2,000 worth of maintenance and addition work was carried out by Randall Fehr Restorations of Seattle, Washington. In 2021 the cooling system was rebuilt with a new header tank, hoses, thermostat, and water pump.

Chassis 881715 is accompanied by JDHT Certificate, jack, tools, restoration invoices, and a spare wheel. This example presents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a desirable Series 1 Jaguar E-Type that has been fully restored and maintained to a high standard. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo22.