First-Ever 1961 Jaguar E-Type Production Car Being Auctioned: A Collector’s Dream Machine

If you are a classic car collector, this is like a dream come true moment. The first-ever Jaguar E-Type production car is being auctioned by Gooding & Company in London, UK on 1 September 2023. The Iconic classic sports car is from the year 1961 and has been restored to factory-spec with the original engine and license plate.

The E-Type was based on the legendary D-Type race car, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for three consecutive years. The two-seater sports car also known as the XK-E was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961. Its stunning design and impressive performance captivated both the public and the press, making it an instant sensation. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari, famously described the E-Type as “the most beautiful car ever made.”

The Jaguar E-Type was produced from 1961 to 1975, which was a relatively long production run for a sports car. The E-Type was produced in three main series: Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3. Each series had various sub-models and engine options. The Series 1 is particularly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to its pure and original design.

These initial models were expedited to meet the show deadline and crafted by hand using roadster bodies. The Geneva show witnessed the E-Type’s immense popularity, prompting additional models for test drives with the intrigued automotive press. Subsequently, Jaguar continued refining the coupe’s body panels while simultaneously producing roadsters.

The 1961 model has a flat floor, a welded louvre, and an outside bonnet-latch and is known to be desirable among classic car collectors. Only 20 left-hand-drive and just 4 right-hand-drive examples of the E-Type coupe were built with outside latches.

The auction car bearing chassis number 860001 is a right-hand-drive coupe with an opalescent dark blue with a red leather interior. Although exact records of the first owner are missing, it was owned by a Jaguar distributor, Henlys Group PLC.

The current owner showcased 860001 in events such as the Coventry to Geneva commemorative run. The car has also been featured in the Octane magazine, achieving a top speed of 241km/h. Jaguar has also highlighted the 860001’s importance with insights from designer Ian Callum in its 50th-anniversary book. According to the seller, this is the only surviving production car from the very first batch, as the left-hand-drive coupe and roadster, and the right-hand-drive roadster no longer exist.

Under the long and beautiful bonnet lies a 3.8-liter Inline-6 engine from the Series 1 sports car. It produces 265hp and 353Nm. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox on this particular car. The Series 1 E-Type was also offered with an optional 3-speed automatic.

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