2009-08-14 00:43:26 | Jon writes:

In 1972 I was given a 1961 xke which was previously owned by a high school friend in Pittsburg, PA. My family paid $1,100.00 for it!
Outside bonnet lock, flat floor etc. I could go on.
We sold it In PA in 1975 for $750.00!
Recently I found the registration, it is #875323.
Any thoughts on how I might locate it?

2009-08-16 21:27:12 | pauls writes:

Jon, thanks for entering what you know of the car, that helps. This is the biggest E-type register but it requires active participation and the VIN, which is not always considered important when info is given about a car. Still we are adding well over 1k cars per year. Unless you start an investigation beginning with the person you sold it to probably the best thing to do is to keep looking back here once in a while. Bet its worth more than $750 now!

2013-06-18 13:30:10 | Kyle Bardsley writes:

Jon,

This message is about 4 years late, but it is the first time that I've seen it. My father purchased this car in 1994, still owns it, and drives it on occasions. He is based in Erie, PA. Give me a shout if you're still interesting in knowing more about.

Best,
Kyle

2015-02-26 21:29:04 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 3/15
www.bonhams.com/auctions/22530/lot/131/

Auction description:
Lot 131
Early, desirable external bonnet latch
1961 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES 1 3.8 ROADSTER
US$ 300,000 - 400,000
£190,000 - 260,000
Auction 22530:
The Amelia Island Auction
12 Mar 2015 12:00 EDT
Chassis no. 875323
Engine no. R1462-9

Manufactured on August 14th, 1961, this Open Two-Seater was the 323rd E-Type Roadster built. Finished in the classic combination of British Racing Green over a Suede Green leather, it was destined for the US market, it was delivered new to the Northeast. In 1971, 875323 was acquired for $1,100 as an 18th birthday present for Jon Lenchner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Coming from the estate of a high school buddy's uncle, the car was reported to be in decent shape at the time. As a college student on a budget, basic maintenance was carried out as usual along with a repaint of the exterior and reupholstered seats. While away in college in Florida, Jon's parent's sold car in 1975 for $750--likely the last time it would ever sell for a less than for what it was bought--to another Keystone State resident. The Jag seems to have remained in Pennsylvania as in 1994 it was acquired by an Erie, Pennsylvania collector who would keep the car for a subsequent score of years.

The recipient of proper care and maintenance over the last 54 years, this rare Jaguar has recently undergone a comprehensive mechanical servicing by Jaguar specialists. Featuring all of the unique details found only on the earliest of E-Types, including the welded louvers, flat floor, and rear chrome beading, early door top chrome, this is a rare example of an external bonnet latch car that has not succumb to modification. This roadster has a lovely patina throughout and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. Offing an incredible opportunity to acquire a historically significant example of one of the most iconic and capable sports cars of the 1960s in inimitable original condition, get your t-keys ready and hit the road in style.

2015-11-12 15:09:15 | RD Miller writes:

For Sale at auction in NYC 11/19/2015

judged 100pt restoration Nov,2015

www.kenobrothers.com/auctions/1961-jaguar-e-type-roadster

2015-11-15 02:20:42 | pauls writes:

Description from above auction:

Year: 1961
VIN: 875323
Body: R1450
Engine: R1462-9
Gearbox: EB568JS
Exterior Color: Opalescent Bronze
Interior Color: Beige

Judged to be without deductions, by 4 of the most critical of Jaguar authorities, in November, 2015. Their scoring sheets will accompany the car.
Restored by Classic Showcase, in California, who restored the 1967 E-Type, "Black Beauty", that sold for $467,500 at Sotheby's 2013 Art of the Automobile Auction, in NYC.
Earliest first-generation, outside-bonnet-latch, welded-louver, flat-floor model, the rarest of all the production E-Types #323 of only 385 LHD outside-bonnet-latch roadsters, out of a total of 500 OBL examples

Manufactured on August 14th, 1961, this Open Two-Seater, the 323rd E-Type Roadster built, was destined for the US market, and delivered to the Northeast. In 1971, 875323 was acquired for $1,100 as an 18th birthday present for Jon Lenchner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a college student on a budget, Jon carried out basic maintenance as usual, along with a repaint of the exterior and reupholstered seats. While Jon was away in college in Florida, his parents sold the car in 1975 for $750 to another Keystone State resident. The Jag seems to have remained in Pennsylvania, as in 1994, it was acquired by an Erie, Pennsylvania collector who would keep the car for a subsequent score of years. It was then sold, through Geoffrey Reis, Jag Connection, to Classic Showcase. It was last listed for sale at Bonham's 2015 Amelia Island Auction and did not meet its reserve, which reflected the fact that it was repainted and re-upholstered -and little else-- in the early 70's. This extraordinary, first-generation, outside-bonnet-latch E-Type, has recently had a very correct and proper ground-up restoration completed to the highest standards of Concours-level authenticity, by Classic Showcase in California. Every detail correct and confirmed by information presented by the most authoritative Jaguar historians and JCNA rules.

The car's entire restoration process was completely documented. It was totally disassembled: the body stripped to bare metal, placed on a rotisserie, body-worked, metal-finished, and leaded as needed. All body parts and chrome were test-fitted to the E-Type while it was in bare metal. The body was primed, sealed, and painted with multiple coats of base and clear. Finally, it was color-sanded and buffed to a superb finish. All systems and components, from front to rear, were restored or replaced. The engine, differential, transmission, clutch, and electrical, brake, and fuel systems were fully restored, rebuilt, or replaced. All rubber parts on the car are now new, including the outstanding wide-whitewall tires, the same as the ones on the cars shown in the 1961 New York and Paris Auto shows. In addition, the chrome has been re-plated to show-level quality. It has all new upholstery in the correct material, which has been fitted and installed by master upholsterers. The roadster's parts have all been restored in the proper colors and finishes, with NOS parts being used wherever possible. Because of the importance of this early, highly original E-Type, extreme attention to detail was paid during its restoration and in documenting the process, to the extent that every bolt, bracket, and even hose clamp is the original, correct version. These details, along with correct Butler license lights, voltage regulator, generator, starter, Dunlop master cylinders, sealed-beams, etc., all contribute to this Jaguar just having been assessed as without deductions, through minute photo inspection, by multiple Judges, of all the details evaluated in Concours judging.

A comprehensive DVD of the restoration, as well as its Jaguar Heritage Certificate, and the Judges' official scoring sheets, accompanies 875323. To complete the car's allure, in the trunk are the original Shelley jack, Thor hammer, owner's manual in its original pouch, and, while not original to the car, a very correct tool kit in its roll.

(Please note: One viewer raised a question about the presence of components for the later, inside-type bonnet latches on the tub of 875323, since its chassis number and other details prove that it is an outside-latch car. The answer is well-known; Jaguar regularly improved their models' features and phased in the new parts gradually, so that there were overlaps between the preceding and succeeding parts. (for example, holes to accommodate inside bonnet latches are seen on a few OBL cars) This happened when they prepared for the advent of inside latches, before they had used up all the bonnets with the outside latches. This is established in the bible of E-Type restoration, "Jaguar E-Type 6 and 12 Cylinder Restoration Guide", by Dr. Thomas F. Haddock, page 77, Paragraphs 1 to 4.)

The following numbers and colors are verified as original by its Jaguar Factory Heritage Trust Certificate, which accompanies the car:
VIN - #875323 Body - #R1450/R1438 (Note: As was common on the Jaguar assembly line, this body got out of order with its tag, and they differ slightly. Reference the letter from the Director of Jaguar Archives, Mr. Mike Cook.) Engine - #R1462-9 Note: the head is the correct and original one. The block is a correct, 1961-casting, 3.8 litre E-Type, factory, unstamped replacement.

2015-11-15 14:13:45 | Stefan writes:

I had a glance on the pictures: WOW! What a difference! This is really one of, if not the nicest E-Type!

What a dream! I bet this car will exceed every to date achieved price! And I was already so taken when the car appeared in beginning of 2015 with the details of its original color combination.... but never had expected that the car will turn out that nice and impeccable.

WOW again!

2015-11-15 20:32:15 | Stefan writes:

3 Amendments / comments:

- Of course it must be glance "at"
- Screws for the head light chrome at early cars must be slotted and not the Phillips style
- The painting of the welded in louvers.... well for such an effort, this bit should look better.

Nevertheless, what a dream car!

2015-11-17 20:05:38 | Pekka. T. writes:

Hi,

Yes, you're mostly right Stefan, a lovely car, but I can not understand why so many details are wrong, like you said, the pozi head screws, the front indicator/sidelight lenses, gear shifter knob, etc. the worst being the interior which in not at all the correct tone. Sure that's "beige" but not what Jaguar called "Beige" in 1951-1967, Connolly VM.3234, which was much lighter in tone. That interior looks more like "Biscuit" or later "Cinnamon". Cheers!

2015-11-21 00:42:51 | Daniel writes:

Does anyone know the sale price of this Beauty?

2015-11-21 01:13:54 | Anonymous writes:

340k hammer price plus 10% auction fee

2015-11-21 15:50:24 | Stefan writes:

So it did not meet its sales limit of 390k and consequently was not sold?

Good for me giving me time to win the lottery and grab that beauty?! ;+)

2015-11-24 14:31:08 | RD Miller writes:

It is being reported as SOLD at the fee inclusive price of $380,000