2017-05-05 10:20:18 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 5/17
www.coys.co.uk/cars/1961-jaguar-e-type-3-8-litre-flat-floor-roadster

Auction description:
ESTIMATE £180,000-£220,000
Auction Coys Royal Horticultural Halls
Lot Number 137
Reg. Number UK Registered
Chassis Number 850322
Year 1961
Make Jaguar
Model E-Type 3.8 Litre Flat Floor Roadster

One of some 400 right-hand drive 'Flat-Floor' roadsters made, of which around 170 are estimated still to exist, this incredible restored matching numbers example was manufactured in December of 1961, and delivered to its lucky first UK owner in the January of the following year, originally supplied in Cream with a Red Leather interior and Black Soft Top.

Over the last two years Chassis #322 has benefitted from a hugely detailed restoration at the hands of very well respected Jaguar marque specialist Rothwell Engineering. To give interested parties an insight into the quality of their work, Rothwell restored E-Types have been displayed in the London Design Museum, have won the Autoglym Grand Final and Concours Champion of Champions, and have been supplied to prominent leaders of the UK automotive industry. Before embarking on our car's restoration the owner took advice from the Jaguar Enthusiast's Club, who confirmed our vendor had made the right decision with his choice of restorer.

Unsurprisingly the restoration work was extremely comprehensive, and is detailed in a nine page report which summarises the attention given to the each area of the car. The report breaks down restoration work into the subjects of bodywork and paint, suspension, steering, drivetrain, engine/gearbox, fuel and exhaust systems, brakes, electrical, interior trim/hood and chromework. Notably the engine was rebuilt to exacting standards by VSE in Wales, during which the moving parts were balanced, and the engine built up to run on modern unleaded fuels. It comes as no surprise that the cost of the restoration exceeded £100,000.

After carefully rebuilding this rare early example, Rothwell have delivered an E-Type of truly outstanding quality, which truly runs and drives as good as it looks. Chassis #322 shows just under 59,000 miles recorded, and is offered with a heritage certificate, detailed written and photographic account of the restoration work, current MoT and UK V5 document,

Finished in a stunning shade of Gunmetal Grey with a contrasting Red leather interior, this is by far one of the best E-Types we have seen in a very long time.

2025-06-04 16:51:08 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 7/25

cars.bonhams.com/auction/30543/preview-lot/6021350/1961-jaguar-e-type-series-1-3 ...

Auction description:

Goodwood Festival of Speed 11 July 2025 BST Chichester, Goodwood

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre 'Flat Floor' Roadster

Registration no. 265 UYM

The beautiful E-Type offered here is one of an estimated 400-or-so right-hand drive 'flat floor' roadsters built, of which it is believed around 170 still exist. Its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate reveals that this E-Type was manufactured on 21st December 1961 and despatched to Henlys in Manchester finished in cream with red interior trim and black hood; chassis number '850322' is the 322nd of its type completed.

Acquired by our vendor at a UK auction in May 2017, '265 UYM' had been offered fresh from a no-expense-spared extensive restoration undertaken over a two-year period by Rothwell Engineering. Recognised marque specialists, Rothwell has exhibited its restored E-Types at the London Design Museum and has won the Autoglym Grand Final and Concours Champion of Champions: clearly, this car could not have been in better hands.

Work commenced on the bodyshell by mounting it in a rotating jig enabling ease of access for repairs and repainting. The bodyshell, bonnet, engine frames, doors and boot lid were all shot-blasted back to bare metal. Among the many other repairs, new flat floors were welded in; the inner sills replaced; new outer sills fitted; the boot floor renewed; and the transmission tunnel and cross members cut out and replaced. The bonnet support frame is new but the original bonnet centre panel was retained, complete with the early-style let-in louvres. The front under-pan, front wings, and the diaphragm panels supporting the headlights were all renewed.

After satisfactory alignment had been achieved, the doors, boot lid, bonnet, engine frames, picture frame and bonnet supports frame were removed and painted separately. Gunmetal Grey was the colour chosen, after the repaint had been completed Waxoyl was injected into cavities such as the sills, rear chassis legs, doors, bulkhead, and the tubular sections of all frames.

The entire front suspension system was dismantled, cleaned, overhauled with new components wherever necessary, and then refinished appropriately. New splined hubs were used and the steering rack overhauled with new bearings, etc. The rear suspension cage was stripped and overhauled and the differential carrier fitted with new bearings. Standard shock absorbers fitted with original springs were retained. New brake discs were installed.

The gearbox was rebuilt by Klassic Transmissions and the rest of the drive train overhauled and refinished. The car rolls on 15" stainless steel wire wheels shod with 185x15 radial tyres.

The engine was rebuilt by VSE in Wales, the cylinder head being converted to 'unleaded' compatibility in the process. All reciprocating parts were dynamically balanced and the major components repainted. The triple SU carburettors were rebuilt by David Lonsdale at Classic Carburettors, and new pipework installed between the new fuel tank and engine bay. The exhaust manifolds were blast-cleaned and refinished in heat-proof satin black paint, and a Bell stainless steel exhaust system installed.

The radiator was re-cored as an uprated unit, while the original cooling fan and motor were retained, the latter having been overhauled. A rebuilt water pump was fitted, as was a new mesh grille to protect the radiator.

The braking system was completely dismantled and thoroughly rebuilt, including the Kelsey-Hayes servo, and Kunifer cupro/nickel pipe work fitted throughout. Greenstuff brake pads were fitted.

Turning to the electrics: a new wiring loom was installed and the wiper motor, dynamo and starter motor rebuilt. All lighting assemblies, including the Lucas PL headlights are new units upgraded with LED bulbs. All dashboard instruments and switches were stripped, cleaned, rebuilt and bench tested. The AM/FM radio is a period item with auxiliary connection. New loudspeakers were fitted.

All interior trim was supplied by B.A.S. of Cwmbran, Newport, South Wales. B.A.S. retrimmed the seats but everything else was done by Rothwell Engineering. New period-style seat belts were fitted and the steering wheel rebuilt. All chrome trim parts were either re-plated or renewed.

Our vendor purchased the E-Type from a London auction in May 2017, since when it has formed part of his private collection, being kept garaged in concours condition. The car has covered only 100 dry miles since restoration, being driven occasionally and also started and run up to temperature. It comes with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate and a photographic record of the restoration together with a seven-page report detailing all the work undertaken and the key suppliers used.