1961 | Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Flat Floor

The E-Type made its debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. In common with the XK120, the new Jaguar was the fastest production car of its time. The car was available either as a Fixedhead Coupe or a two-seat Roadster and initially sported the same 3.8 litre version of the ubiquitous XK engine that powered the last of the XK150Ss. This was mated to a manual four-speed Moss box, with synchromesh on the top three gears. The suspension was independent all round and the newcomer featured power-assisted disc brakes - inboard at the rear. Up to 1963, E-Types were fitted with leather-upholstered bucket seats, while the console and centre section of the instrument panel were finished in aluminium. A total of 15,496 3.8 litre E-Types are said to have been built, 7,827 of which were Roadsters.

A desirable 'Flat Floor' example, this gorgeous E-Type left the Browns Lane factory on November 27th, 1961, bound for Henlys London but was not registered until January 1962. It boasted Carmen Red bodywork and red leather trim, as it still does to this day. It was restored over a 10-year period starting in the 1990s, some of that work included the installation of a new interior supplied by Aldridge Trimming of Wolverhampton and a fresh black mohair hood. The present owner bought the car in 2018 on the understanding that it was in superb mechanical order, which it turns out was not really the case. Thus, he set out to make sure the E-Type was mechanically 'on the button' and amongst many works which were carried out, the engine was stripped, rebuilt and re-installed (all invoices in the file from Norman Motors Ltd). This Jaguar's bodywork, paintwork, upholstery, original straight-six engine and four-speed manual transmission are all in a 'very good' order. This apparently very original, home market, matching chassis and engine numbers Jaguar comes with a Heritage Certificate, some photographs of the restoration, an original E-Type service manual, operating handbook and large collection of invoices showing the expenditure whilst in our client's ownership, tax discs and old MoT test certificates. It is also worth noting that the speedometer was replaced in 2021 and the current odometer reading shows 269 miles (zero when installed) which is the total amount of miles covered since the car had substantial mechanical works carried out (there is no record of the car's previous mileage). This is a great opportunity to acquire a true British Classic which is in superb operational condition. Consigned by James Good

Lot details
Year: 1961
Make: Jaguar
Model: E-Type 3.8 'Flat Floor' Roadster
Registration: 597 NYB
Chassis No: 850290
Engine No: R26909
Mileage: 269


* Desirable 'Flat Floor' example

* Presented in its original livery of Carmen Red with red leather trim

* Substantial invoices for engine rebuild and recent mechanical works