2020-08-12 13:49:00 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 9/20
www.bonhams.com/auctions/26494/preview_lot/5382546/

Auction description:
1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8-Litre Series 1 Flat floor 'External Bonnet Lock' Roadster
Chassis no. 875289 Engine no. R1394-9
€ 120,000 - 180,000
US$ 140,000 - 210,000
The Autoworld Autumn Sale, Brussels

•One of the desirable 1st series 'external bonnet lock' E-type Roadsters
•Number 289 built, dating from the first months of production
•Matching numbers and colours
•Present family ownership since the late 1990s/early 2000s

Dating from the first few months of production, this example is one of the earliest surviving left-hand drive Jaguar E-Type roadsters (the chassis number sequence commenced at '875001') and has features typical of these early production models, including the flat floor, welded bonnet louvres, and external bonnet locks. Chassis number '875289' was completed on 25th July 1961. Despatched from the Works on 16th August '61 bound for Jaguar Cars, New York, USA, it is said to have remained in the United States until the late 1990s/early 2000s. The accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirms that the car retains its original colour combination of Carmen Red with black interior, and that it also has its original 'matching numbers' engine.

Restored in the USA, the E-Type was shipped to Europe and sold to Belgium where the lady owner's late father bought the car and drove it for some 15-20 years. Although completed a while ago and starting to show some signs of age, the restoration is generally holding up very well. (It should be noted that some minor detail features might have been lost during restoration, and that the rear section including numberplate mount and lighting might be from a later model.)

A rare garage find, locked away for a couple of years and scarcely used, the E-Type is in 'drivers condition': usable as a daily driver following re-commissioning, or alternatively an excellent basis for a concours-standard restoration. Still registered on Belgian numberplates, this rare and desirable early E-Type Roadster comes with Belgian registration documents and the aforementioned Heritage Certificate.