Description

1962 Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8 Roadster

Original UK car; matching numbers; current owner 34 years; over £28k recently spent; driver quality E-Type with scope for cosmetic improvement

Everyone loves an E-Type and perhaps the most desirable of all is the early 3.8 Roadster with the embossed aluminium centre console and dash panel which was changed to leather/vinyl in September 1963 to address complaints about glare on sunny days. A sensible change perhaps, but a real shame because the aluminium trim was so much more attractive, lending a fighter plane ambience to the cockpit.
Dating from 1962, this early E-Type S1 Roadster comes with little early history but a green logbook from 1973 indicates that it was painted white at that point and had the registration number 580 FOV, a Birmingham-issued number which is where the car still resided with owners in Erdington then Solihull.
Our vendor acquired it in September 1986 by which time the E-Type was looking a bit sorry for itself. Over the next couple of years much money was spent on improving the car including an engine rebuild, suspension and brake system overhaul, new headlights and bumpers, interior retrim plus much else besides, all detailed in invoices on file. The number plate was also changed from 580 FOV to YSV 711, a personalised number which is transferable.
The car was then only used very lightly, invoices and an online MOT history check showing that it has only covered some 6,000 miles in the current 34-year ownership. Other invoices attest to upkeep over the years including routine servicing; new front brake discs and all four calipers rebuilt with stainless steel pistons in 1999; cylinder head overhaul in 2008; electronic ignition and a stainless steel exhaust system in 2010.
In 2016 the vendor decided to give the car a really thorough seeing-to and it was entrusted to Wren Classics of Shaftesbury with instructions to go right through it and fix anything necessary. £21,800 later and the deed was done, the work including a cylinder head overhaul; work to the brakes, steering and suspension; work to the cooling and electrical systems; new seat covers, carpets and door panels plus much else besides, all detailed in the invoices shown in the photos on this website. To ease the pain, after all the work was completed Wren Classics valued the car at £100,000 in February 2017 which is the amount it is currently insured for.
Now mechanically sorted with a freshly retrimmed interior, this E-Type is usable as it is but could be taken to the next level if desired as the paintwork is somewhat tired here and there, the driver's door fit could doubtless be improved and the tyres are fairly old. Only reluctantly for sale due to back problems (the vendor, not the car), this original UK market ‘matching numbers’ E-Type is being offered here at a very attractive guide price.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com