Lot 146: 1963 Jaguar Series 1 3.8 Roadster

On its 1961 Geneva Show debut the E-Type caused a sensation, with all the promise of its looks confirmed by independent road test results that not only recorded a 150mph top speed, but also 0-60mph and 0-l00mph in 6.9 and 16.2 seconds respectively; fast indeed, and the match of any exotic thoroughbred then available, combined with superb road-holding and remarkable docility.One of the greatest post-war sports cars, Jaguar's E-Type made immediate headlines on its launch in March 1961. Here was a sleek and beautiful 150mph car with a competition pedigree that could be bought for just over £2,000 almost half the cost of an Aston Martin or Ferrari. A direct descendant of the XK120 and competition C and D-Type models that so dominated fifties sports car racing, the E-Type shared its 265bhp 3.8 litre twin-cam straight-six engine with the XK150 'S', mated to a Moss four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios. Beneath the William Lyons/Malcolm Sayer-styled body, available in either closed or roadster form, the steel monocoque chassis sported all-independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, mounted inboard at the back.The fine example you see here today, most attractively finished in gunmetal grey with a black interior was registered to its first owner in the Sicilian town of Catania. Over a period of 30 years the car saw little use on the island and 15 years ago it was repatriated to the Italian mainland by its current owner who at that time carried out a light restoration. The owner informs us that no major structural intervention was necessary. Thankfully its lack of use has preserved what is a very original and untouched example. The car bears its original black Catania number plates and has been registered and approved by the Italian historical Motoring organisation A.S.I.