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Details
1964 JAGUAR E-TYPE 3.8 LITRE SERIES I ROADSTER WITH HARDTOP
Chassis No. 878948
Engine No. R 9878-9
British racing green with tan leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, twin overhead camshafts, 3,781cc giving 269bhp at 5,500rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Suspension: independent, double wishbone with torsion bars to front, independent to rear, with twin coil-spring damper units on each side; Brakes: four wheel disc, inboard at rear. Left hand drive.
Everything Jaguar cars had learned about sports cars during its legendary five victories at Le Mans in the 1950's went into the E-type. Introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1961, it used an uprated version of the wonderful straight-six XK series engine in Sir William Lyons' stunningly beautiful monocoque bodyshell and was immediately acclaimed, not only for its elegance, but for its value for money. There was little doubt this beautifully finished and equipped two-seater was one of the fastest cars that could be purchased at the time and there was the reassurance that all this performance was now matched by sophisticated brakes, handling, and outstanding cornering power. It was an immediate and lasting success and is now regarded as one of the most important designs of a brilliant era.
Evolution of the car that was to become the E-Type took several years. The tubular chassis of the C-Type sport racers of 1951-2, the central monocoque of the mid-1950s D-Types, later the fully independent suspension of E2A - raced at Le Mans by Briggs Cunningham - were all important staging points underlining the production E-Type's impeccable pedigree.
This superb Series I roadster was probably supplied new to California. In 1967 the car was registered to its then owner in Pasadena. During the late 1980s this vehicle was subject to a full nut and bolt restoration by the world renowned restorers Hill & Vaughn of Santa Monica, CA. A photographic album documenting this immaculate restoration accompanies the vehicle. We are told the restoration cost in excess of $80,000. The current owner acquired the car from a Florida dealer in 1988 and has used the car very sparingly; on a recent inspection the odometer read 341 miles and this may be the total covered since restoration. Certainly the current condition is commensurate with such low mileage. When a Christie's representative recently test drove this Jaguar it performed faultlessly with good oil pressure. It is difficult to reasonably fault this car: there is a slight scuff mark on the drivers seat and the windscreen laminate has a small blemish. With a good detail this car is certainly to show standard. To many enthusiasts the early 3.8 Series I E-Type is the ultimate choice, offering the purest lines and is generally regarded as the true driver's car. This exceptional Jaguar Roadster warrants close inspection.
Chassis No. 878948
Engine No. R 9878-9
British racing green with tan leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, twin overhead camshafts, 3,781cc giving 269bhp at 5,500rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Suspension: independent, double wishbone with torsion bars to front, independent to rear, with twin coil-spring damper units on each side; Brakes: four wheel disc, inboard at rear. Left hand drive.
Everything Jaguar cars had learned about sports cars during its legendary five victories at Le Mans in the 1950's went into the E-type. Introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1961, it used an uprated version of the wonderful straight-six XK series engine in Sir William Lyons' stunningly beautiful monocoque bodyshell and was immediately acclaimed, not only for its elegance, but for its value for money. There was little doubt this beautifully finished and equipped two-seater was one of the fastest cars that could be purchased at the time and there was the reassurance that all this performance was now matched by sophisticated brakes, handling, and outstanding cornering power. It was an immediate and lasting success and is now regarded as one of the most important designs of a brilliant era.
Evolution of the car that was to become the E-Type took several years. The tubular chassis of the C-Type sport racers of 1951-2, the central monocoque of the mid-1950s D-Types, later the fully independent suspension of E2A - raced at Le Mans by Briggs Cunningham - were all important staging points underlining the production E-Type's impeccable pedigree.
This superb Series I roadster was probably supplied new to California. In 1967 the car was registered to its then owner in Pasadena. During the late 1980s this vehicle was subject to a full nut and bolt restoration by the world renowned restorers Hill & Vaughn of Santa Monica, CA. A photographic album documenting this immaculate restoration accompanies the vehicle. We are told the restoration cost in excess of $80,000. The current owner acquired the car from a Florida dealer in 1988 and has used the car very sparingly; on a recent inspection the odometer read 341 miles and this may be the total covered since restoration. Certainly the current condition is commensurate with such low mileage. When a Christie's representative recently test drove this Jaguar it performed faultlessly with good oil pressure. It is difficult to reasonably fault this car: there is a slight scuff mark on the drivers seat and the windscreen laminate has a small blemish. With a good detail this car is certainly to show standard. To many enthusiasts the early 3.8 Series I E-Type is the ultimate choice, offering the purest lines and is generally regarded as the true driver's car. This exceptional Jaguar Roadster warrants close inspection.