2023-08-15 21:22:55 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1962-jaguar-e-type-38-roadster-lhd-project-n9ly3g

Seller's description:

1962 Jaguar E-Type

Colour Yellow

Odometer 72,681 Kilometres

Engine size 3800

Seller Type Trade

Town Treviso

Country Italy

A very early example

The vendor assures us that it is almost entirely complete

Europe supplied in left-hand drive

Excellent restoration potential

Supplied new to Frankfurt, Germany in European specification on June 15th 1962

Factory left-hand drive

Now resides in Italy, although is not currently registered

Acquired by the vendor in 2023

Has spent some years off the road

The vendor informs us that it is accompanied by a heritage certificate, acquired from the UK

Engine number: R 9988-8 - likely replaced in 1963, accordion to the vendor

72,681 kilometres indicated, although the true figure is unknown

The Interior

The dashboard is mostly complete with its Smiths instruments and Lucas switchgear 

Three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel in need of restoration

No radio or glovebox lid

Complete with some carpeting although it is no longer serviceable

Retains red vinyl upholstery on the door trims and centre console

The floor pans have corroded through in places

Complete with seats, although these are rather tired

Spare wheel still present in the boot

This Jaguar’s interior requires full restoration, but is still mostly complete. The dashboard hasn’t been disassembled and although a couple of components are missing, most of what you’ll need remain in place and look to be eminently restorable.

 The dashboard top looks in nice order and the same can be said of the instruments and switchgear. The seat upholstery needs replacing, but the seats themselves seem in fair shape for their age. The door cards still present well, as does some of the carpeting. 

Once restored, we’re sure it shall look spectacular inside.

The Exterior 

Currently finished in yellow

Black soft top in need of replacement

The chrome trim was preserved with a layer of grease and so is still in very good order although will need refinishing as part of the restoration

Aerodynamic covered headlamps

Chromed alloy wheels with some surface rust

Serious corrosion to much of the bodywork and underside

The bonnet and front end are in good order although will require some straightening

These early E-Types in particular have a real purity to their design and even this rather tired example’s flowing lines still look utterly magnificent. 

Having been off the road for many years, this Jaguar will of course require extensive restoration. The front end has fared better than the rear, but of course everything including the roof will require restoration or replacement, however all looks to be really complete, including the chrome trim and glass.

The Mechanics 

 3.8-litre DOHC straight-six

Four-speed manual gearbox

Gearbox, suspension and brakes present

Three SU carburettors still fitted

No exhaust manifold

Mechanically untested, and in need of restoration

With the engine number R 9988-8, the vendor suggests this Jaguar's engine was replaced within its first year on the road, following some sort of issue with the original unit. We’re unable to verify if this is indeed the case, although we can confirm that the engine fitted is period appropriate and of the earlier 3.8-litre capacity, as should be fitted to an E-Type of this vintage. 

It is of course, mechanically untested having spent many years out of action. Neither we nor the vendor are able to assess its mechanical order, so it shall of course require thorough inspection and restoration.