2023-07-25 12:49:21 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.fiskens.com/cars-for-sale/Jaguar-E-Type-Roadster/13754.htm

1961 Jaguar E-Type Roadster – Outside Bonnet Latch

Desirable outside bonnet latch home market roadster

Fully matching numbers, 88th RHD, retailed by Henlys London

Exacting restoration by specialist Rothwell Engineering, engine by VSE

Exquisite in original opalescent dark blue / light blue / black hood

Concours display at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Cartier Style et Luxe

Offered in exceptional restored condition, this is one of the very earliest examples of Jaguar’s revolutionary E-Type – with all the early hallmarks including outside bonnet latches, flat floors, spot-welded bonnet louvres, and more.

Sought out by collectors, the handful of outside bonnet latch cars epitomize the E-Type in its most desirable form. Chassis 850088 is the 88th right-hand drive E-Type built, and one of just 91 right-hand drive outside bonnet latch roadsters produced.

Dispatched from the Browns Lane factory on 24 August 1961, 850088 was retailed by Henlys of London, in the strikingly attractive specification seen today – opalescent dark blue exterior, light blue interior (which is actually, and correctly, grey in appearance), and a black hood.

Restored in recent years by renowned specialist Jim Rothwell of Rothwell Engineering, great care and attention to detail was invested in the restoration, including attending to the range of features that distinguish the earliest E-Types. 

Of course, this is a fully matching numbers example, with the engine block, cylinder head, gearbox and body number all set out in the accompanying JDHT heritage certificate. Beyond this, key ancillary components are all date stamped for early 1961, as expected.

As part of the restoration, the original 3.8-litre engine was rebuilt by well-known experts V.S.E., with only a very few miles covered since.

Unlike the dream cars of America, Jaguar’s engineers produced the “E” with just a handful of prototypes evolved from their Le Mans-winning C-Type and D-Type racers. From its debut at the 1961 Geneva motor show, the E-Type stirred emotions as one of the most beautiful cars ever, capable of a genuine 150 mph in stock trim.

Suitable for any discerning collection, this OBL E-Type has appeared in the prestigious Cartier Style et Luxe display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. She is presented in outstanding restored condition and would be welcome at an array of prestigious concours and other events.

Admin notes:

Enough verified evidence has been provided to us to confirm 850079 was incorrectly posted to this page. Some comments posted subsequently are obsolete but we prefer comments to remain as written. That said some are misleading because of the original error. Rather than leaving them as they were and protracting/propagating the error I will try to consolidate/summarize the points made and will be deleting the actual posts as this is the first genuine offer. Previous posts chronologically:

1) 2014-07-30 09 Currently owned by Jon Pollock Restorations who bought it from the daughter of the late Jon Fong the actor who appeared alongside John Wayne in 'Donovan's Reef'. [Incorrect that car is believed to be 850079]

2) 2015-08-21 This car is a sham, none of the numbers (nor colours) match those the JDHT has for chassis 88.

3) 2015-08-21 are you sure, you are talking about the right hand driven roadsters? And not about the LHD roadsters (875088)? And the main question would be, how you could get hold of the JDHT certificate?

Or maybe the car is earlier than the stated 850088? In any case, the engine and bonnet stamping as well as the outside looks and the louvers looking quite original and authentic. I don't see here any sham. At max this was a mixup in numbers.

Nevertheless it would be interesting to see a straight and clear picture of the VIN plate and the picture frame.

But cool car!

4) 2015-08-26 Seems to be doulbed entered as 850088 as well as 850079 [corrected]

5) 2018-11-22 Some mistake here. This chassis no was owned by me in 1967 and was a flat floor car registered on 2 October 1961 later raced by me and Mick Jones [possibly but no evidence provided]

6) 2023-07-03 Well - I am totally confused .......

Here is 850088 for sale on PistonHeads as of today 3 July 2023.

pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15209703

Body, Engine & Gearbox Numbers are completely different.....

Can someone - please help on this .....????

7) 2023-07-04 It is confusing. The Pistonheads listing isn't showing any proof of its authenticity, the data plate shown doesn't appear to be a factory one. The body number supplied V1303 in the original posting here is not consistent with a RHD OTS but a FHC. The Reg# 207UYG on the Pistonheads car is currently registered to a blue '61 Jaguar on the DVLA. The seller states that it was sold by Henlys, London, nothing about going to China [which 850079 apparently did].