2023-05-22 14:30:47 | Harry Stevens writes:

Lot 6 at Brightwells Auction Sale of Classic Cars and Motorcycles at Leominster on 10 May 2023. Sold for £51,000.
www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5371/lot/626963

Sharp and solid E Type imported from Germany and converted to RHD; in the current family ownership since the early 1990s; hard top and soft top; for recommissioning following seven years in dry storage. As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this E Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster was built in November 1962 finished in Carmen Red with a Black interior and a Black hood. A LHD European export model, it was supplied new via Peter Lindner of Frankfurt to first owner NAW Billings of Berlin.

Nothing is known of the car's early history but a 2013 Jaguar E Type Club magazine article on file relates how the current owner acquired the car in a partially dismantled state in the early 1990s. A professional car mechanic, he spent several years restoring the car which was finally finished and back on the road in 1996. Although there are no invoices to show exactly what work was done, the car speaks for itself and looks very smart today.

The odometer was set to zero after the restoration and the car has covered 27,000 miles since, as evidenced by 20 old MoTs. The magazine article relates how the car's first journey was to Le Mans and back, the owner relating that it achieved an indicated 142mph on the Mulsanne straight! It made the same journey several times over the following years, the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona being another regular trip. Used for touring holidays around France, it was also driven to Germany in 2012 where it served as bridal transport for the owner's daughter when she got married in Bavaria. We are told the Goodwood revival was an annual pilgrimage never missed.

When the owner fell ill in 2016 the car was put into dry storage and ownership was transferred to the name of another family member in 2022. Unused for the last seven years, the car was trailered to the auction and we have made no attempt to start it but the engine still turns easily and the car rolls freely. Supplied with both hard and soft tops, this E Type is on offer as a straight forward recommissioning project at an attractive guide price.