Lot 452: 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Coupé

‘If Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans has been responsible for the new E-Type Jaguar, then that Homeric contest on the Sarthe circuit will have been abundantly justified. Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.’ - John Bolster, Autosport. The vendor advises us that this Series 1 E-Type Coupé has no modifications from factory specification and is ‘totally period’, retaining the original Moss gearbox, brakes, dynamo and standard ignition system with no modern upgrades. Supplied new by Byatt’s of Fenton Ltd, the car was purchased by the current owner in 1992 and since then has undergone a lengthy restoration that was finally completed in 2005. This painstaking refurbishment involved stripping the car completely; removing all paint from the bodyshell; repairing panels with some localised replacement; applying anti-corrosion coating; checking the engine and gearbox and overhauling where necessary; stripping and fully rebuilding the suspension - front and rear; and re-trimming the interior. The car was repainted in 1995 and in 2004 was sold to a friend of the vendor. Subsequently repurchased by the latter, it has been repainted again (18 months ago) and fitted with new wheels and tyres. Never driven in the wet since completion, on-the-button and said to ‘go like a rocket’, this highly original Series 1 E-Type is offered with restoration invoices, dating certificate, current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5 registration document