Lot 123: 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Competition ‘Lightweight’

Right from the moment when deliveries commenced in 1961, the E-Type began to find its way on to the world’s racetracks. In the Grand Touring class for production sportscars the E-Type proved competitive right from the start, Graham Hill celebrating the model’s racing debut by winning at Oulton Park on April 3rd 1961. The elevation of the GT class to Manufacturers’ Championship status for 1963 prompted Jaguar to develop a small batch of very special lightweight cars to challenge Ferrari. The steel monocoque tub and outer body panels were remanufactured in aluminium and the engine dry-sumped and fitted with Lucas mechanical fuel injection, producing in excess of 300bhp. Just twelve of these cars were built by the factory for the use of competition-orientated Jaguar dealers or specially selected private entrants. Today, copies of this rare competition variant are among the most popular and sought after of E-Types.

This lightweight racing E-Type was previously raced by Mark Wright and comes with copy results sheets for the Aston Martin Owners Club’s ‘Historic Sports Car Spectacular’ event held at Brands Hatch on 2nd/3rd May 1999. In the ‘Yokohama Jaguar XK Challenge’ (Race 2) Wright’s E-Type started from pole position, having lapped the ‘Indy’ circuit in a highly respectable 57.68 seconds, and won the 10-lap race by over one second, beating two other E-Types in a mixed field of Jaguars.

Chassis number ‘878631’ has been fully race prepared by Suffolk-based lightweight E-Type specialists, Zealia Engineering, while its 3.8-litre engine has been built by renowned racing Jaguar expert, Rob Beere, incorporating Hepolite Powermax 9.0:1 pistons and featuring triple Weber 45 induction. The cooling system has been up-rated with a generously sized Kenlowe electric fan, while the dry sump lubrication system benefits from a new tank. Power is transmitted to the road via a competition clutch, Getrag five-speed gearbox and 3.31:1 rear axle (with limited-slip differential). Described as ‘ready to race’, the E-Type has been resident in Switzerland since circa 2000 and has seen very little use since then. Representing a potentially most competitive entry into Jaguar and other historic sports car races worldwide, the car is offered with FIVA papers and Swiss Permis de Circulation. (It should be noted that although this car is currently right-hand drive, its chassis number indicates that it was built in left-hand drive configuration).




Le châssis n° 878631 a été totalement préparé pour la compétition par le spécialiste de la Type E lightweight, Zealia Engineering, dans le Sussex, tandis que le moteur 3,8 litres a été refait par le spécialiste Jaguar, Rob Beere, avec des pistons Hepolite Powermax (compression 9 :1) et des carburateurs Weber triple corps. Le circuit de refroidissement a été amélioré par montage d’un ventilateur électrique Kenlowe et le circuit de graissage à carter sec a reçu un nouveau réservoir. Le couple est transmis par un embrayage compétition, une boîte Getrag à 5 rapports et un différentiel à glissement limité (rapport final 3.31 :1). Décrite comme « prête à courir », cette Type E, suisse depuis 2000 environ, a été très peu utilisée. Très compétitive dans les épreuves historiques, la voiture est offerte avec ses papiers FIVA et son Permis de Circulation suisse. (On notera que si elle se présente avec la conduite à droite, son numéro de châssis indique qu’elle a été construite avec la conduite à gauche).