Lot 44
1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I OTS

Documents

Lot 44 - 1965 Jaguar JDHT Certificate.pdf

4.2-litre DOHC inline six-cylinder engine with triple SU carburetors, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with transverse wishbones, torsion bars, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar, independent rear suspension with lower transverse tubular links and twin coil springs, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes; wheelbase: 96”


The Jaguar E-Type, or XKE in the United States, continues to symbolize the apex of sportscar design and mid-century innovation 60 years after its groundbreaking release at the 1961 Geneva Auto Show. The car that Enzo Ferrari once described as, “the most beautiful car ever made,” was one of only a handful to be granted a coveted spot at the Museum of Modern Art. To say it’s iconic is a vast understatement. It is everything a classic British sports car should be – fast, nimble, stunning, and so much more.

Among the first consumer market automobiles to be designed with aerodynamics and tested in a wind tunnel, the E-Type was the brainchild of Malcolm Sayer who brought to Jaguar mathematical genius and a background in aerodynamics from his time at Bristol Aeroplane Company during the war. At this point in history, only aircraft and professional race cars were created and tested with aerodynamics. In fact, the E-Type’s silhouette evolved, not just out of Jaguar C- and D-Type racecars, but out of advanced mathematical formulas that were essentially CAD (computer-aided design) before the technology was even envisioned for automobile use. To test the aerodynamics and performance of his beloved E-Type, Sayer was known to affix wool onto the body of the car to determine airflow and drag.

With long sweeping lines and those dramatic glass-covered headlamps that seem to peer into your very soul, this was one of the most beautiful cars the world had ever seen, and that silhouette was created with the apex of performance in mind. The E-Type enjoyed a fourteen-year reign and would become the standard every Jaguar model thereafter would be measured against. By 1971, the Series III E-Type would boast a powerful V-12 engine and numerous tweaks, but it is the original Series I E-Types that are the most highly sought-after and valuable.

This 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster on offer has a production date that falls after October of 1964 and boasts a 4.2-litre, dual overhead cam, inline six-cylinder engine as opposed to the introductory 3.8-litre, which performed with comparable power and a top speed of 153 mph. The 4.2-litre, however, delivers 10% more torque at 283 ft-lbs. All this equates to superior throttle response. Also nestled beneath the captivating semi-monocoque body is independent coil spring rear suspension with lower transverse tubular links and independent front suspension with transverse wishbones and torsion bars, the four-wheel disc brakes Jags were known for, a fully synchronized four-speed manual gearbox and triple SU carburetors. In short, this British sports car was the whole package.

An expert and comprehensive rotisserie restoration was completed by a leading Jaguar specialist, David Ferguson of Images Autobody in Campbell, California, resulting in one of the most pristine examples of a Series I E-Type you will find. During this meticulous undertaking, the bonnet was disassembled and bead blasted and the chrome was triple plated for gleam and durability. The engine has been rebuilt with new pistons, rings, valves, oil pump, seals, gaskets; the radiator, carburetors, fuel pump and alternator have been rebuilt and restored and the hydraulics have been sleeved in brass for reliability. The transmission has been rebuilt and received a new clutch, the suspension components have been rebuilt and cadmium plated and the brakes have been upgraded with new rotors; also of note are new wheel bearings. With a new dash panel, new weather stripping, new glass in the doors, a soundproofed body and a new stainless-steel exhaust system, this artisan restoration expert thought of everything. Last but not least, the metal work and finishing have refitted panels and all body seams completed to Malcolm Sayer’s perfect and exacting factory specifications. The result is a car that rolls as tight and flawless as the day it was new.

Robed in Cream paint with a black canvas top, luscious red leather interior and correct carpeting in the cockpit, this example is arguably one of the most appealing E-Type Series I Jaguars to come to market. Chassis Number 1E11393 is accompanied by a Jaguar Heritage Certificate with confirmed matching numbers for chassis, engine, body, and gearbox. This extraordinarily desirable Series I E-Type is ready to be driven as intended or be the darling at any concours. As the pinnacle of classic British sports cars, this timeless beauty knows few rivals and will only continue to grow in popularity and appeal.