2026-01-22 21:30:13 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 1/26

www.artcurial.com/en/sales/6446/lots/16-a

Auction description:

Sale n°6446/Automobile Legends 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2L Roadster No reserve

German title

Chassis No 1E12000 Engine No 7E6752-9

- Restored by specialist Richard Darnell

- More than €200,000 spent

- Matching numbers

- No reserve

It was in 2008 that the previous owner of this E-Type met Richard Darnell, a Californian specialist renowned for his Jaguar E-Type ‘100-point’ restorations. He entrusted him with the task of finding a sound, un-stripped and matching-number chassis to use as the base for a ‘concours’ restoration. To achieve this, he sent another friend (a renowned E-Type German restoration specialist) to Nevada, where together they found the chassis 1E12000. The car was completely stripped down and restored, down to the smallest detail, with particular attention paid to the bodywork adjustments. After 18 months of rigorous work and fine-tuning, this superb E-Type (still equipped with its original engine) was shipped to Marseille in the spring of 2011. A few months later, it won hands down a concours of elegance in Cannes, which celebrated the model's 50th anniversary. The car was then sent to Cologne to the German specialist who was involved in its restoration in order to fit Wilwood 4-piston brakes, 8x15 rims (the original ones will be supplied), a custom-made exhaust to optimise the sound of the 6-cylinder engine, as well as a slightly smaller diameter steering wheel; all with a view to perfect the driving experience of this magnificent roadster. Devoted to the quality of this car, it was this same specialist who purchased it a year and a half ago. Since its restoration, it has travelled just over 10,000 km (always in dry weather) and was carefully preserved and serviced. An inspection of the vehicle (including the substructure) reveals the exceptional quality of this project, the cost of which is estimated by its former owner at around €220,000. Richard Darnell's creations are highly sought after and fetch high prices at auction (especially in the USA); they are also impossible to find in Europe. This example is an exceptional opportunity that will delight the most demanding collectors in this particular field.