2004-09-03 10:39:26 | pauls writes:

Car was sold at auction in '04
www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/540423452/

Auction description:
Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Flat Floor Roadster
Overview
With only sympathetic use since its fabulous restoration to original specification, this rare, highly desirable, matching numbers 'flat floor' E-Type has remained in exquisite order, and still is today, beautiful in every regard

Lot Details
Auction Exceptional Cars and Automobilia
Christies, Jack Barclay Showroom, Nine Elms, London
Type Car
Lot Number 95
Estimate £35000-£45000
Hammer Price (inc premium) £37600
Year 1961
Condition rating
Registration number 648 CYV
Chassis number 850218
Engine number R2247/9

2005-03-09 20:15:53 | Lofty writes:

Sports Car Monthly magazine (3/05) comment from Christie's auction 6/7/2004: "S/N 850218. Eng.# R2247/9. Carmen Red/beige. RHD. Odo: 2,863 miles. Miles since resto. XK Engineering rebuilt in 1991. Still fresh looking. Paint polish-sratched. Chrome has minor marks. Leather and interior spotless. Cond. 1-. Sold at $69,184. Considering the high quality of work carried out, this genuine flat floor E-type, with all the numbers matching, may have been slightly underpriced."

2007-07-19 10:58:06 | pauls writes:

Additional auction info:
Registration No. 648 CYV Chassis No. 850218 Engine No. R2247/9 Carmen red with beige leather interior and black soft top

The car we proudly offer is an extremely early production 'flat floor' roadster that was built in October 1961. The JDHT production record trace certificate also informs us that the car was originally supplied with Carmen red coachwork a matching red interior and a black soft top. Delivered by Henlys of London on 30th October 1961, the fortunate first owner was a G. C. Cussens of Enfield, Middlesex.
In Jaguar folklore, the name of XK Engineering is synonymous with the finest restorations of the marque. The car offered for sale, was the subject of a ground up re-build at the hands of this renowned company between 1989 and early 1991, having been supplied in basket case condition by their client.
With the car is a comprehensive file detailing the work and expense necessitated to revive the car to its former glory. Every invoice throughout the restoration period comes with the car and so fastidious was the extent to which the restoration was executed that even at a time when labour charges were a mere £20.00 an hour, the total bill still amounted to £25,000. A well presented photographic record of the restoration is also in the history file depicting the story of how a sorry amalgamation of parts was turned back into the stunning motor car that Browns Lane staff themselves would have been proud of.
When purchased by the current owner in 1995 from XK Engineering, it had travelled just 2,100 miles since the restoration and thus had only just been run in. Over the last nine years the car has been much admired and well maintained, but rarely used and the odometer now reads a mere 2,862 miles. When driven by a Christie's specialist the car performed without fault and of particular note was how well the engine pulled, the Moss 'box was true to reputation and the road holding was a delight. With only sympathetic use since its fabulous restoration to original specification, this rare, highly desirable, matching numbers 'flat floor' E-Type has remained in exquisite order, and still is today, beautiful in every regard. Currently MoT'd and road taxed, it is ready to be used or exhibited.

2008-02-04 13:32:14 | David Jones writes:

This car featured in a 1967 episode of The Avengers (in Color). It was the 'villain' car and is featured extensively throughout the episode which involves Steed and Mrs Peel in the Bentley participating in a rally/race. In the film it is red with a black interior and has lost the alloy dash in favour of a black one. Great footage of 648 CYV being thrown around the English countryside and, ultimately, crashed! Whoever owns the car now it is worth searching out a copy on DVD.

2008-02-05 14:25:48 | David writes:

Forgot to add the episode concerned is "Dead Man's Treasure" and is included in the DVD set "The Avengers : The Definitive Dossier 1967 (Box Set 4)" available from Amazon.

2009-12-27 23:39:00 | pauls writes:

Car offered by:
www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/car-details/1961-e-type-series-1-flat-floor-roadst ...

Sellers description:
* Model: E Type Series 1 Roadster.
* Year: 1961
* Price: 76,000

1961 E Type Series 1 Flat Floor Roadster.
Chassis Number 850218
Engine Number R 2247-9
Body Number R 2055
Registration number 648CYV

A magnificently restored car. This car was disassembled by marque specialists XK Engineering & totally rebuilt from the ground up without regard to expense. A full set of pictures documenting the restoration comes with the car along with an eye watering set of bills. The car also comes with its Jaguar heritage certificate attesting to its authenticity.

The paint is flawless Carmen red complimented by wonderful bright work.

The interior is biscuit leather. The hood black mohair.

Not much more is needed in the description as the car speaks for itself.

A rare early flat floor example with original Moss box & absolutely correct in every detail. One for the collectors I would suggest?

2011-08-04 15:49:30 | David Worrow writes:

This car appeared in "The Avengers", (a pretty poor UK TV show in the sixties)

2011-10-29 16:19:43 | DS writes:

Car rescued from a field in Cornwal in mid 80's, car had been abandoned for nearly ten years, left to the elements, car discovered in original colour Carmen Red, shell totally shot, original engine and gear box, winched on and dragged off trailer, travelled via midlands to the Wirral.

2012-06-02 07:56:49 | Tony writes:

I was the owner of this car from 1966 to 1968. I rented it to elstree studios for the filming of the avengers. It was also used for a advertisement for shell petrol. I swapped it for a brand new mg midget from stanbourgh motors garsten. Happy to see its still going.

2018-02-01 10:38:43 | Derek White writes:

If the current owner sees this, please get in touch as I am restoring 850219 and would like a chat. cheers, derek O7944 O6 4848

2019-02-09 06:44:37 | Tam McGregor writes:

Hello very slim chance but worth a try. Wondering if the Tony member is still active above, if so would love to chat. I believe it may have been my late father that you swapped the jag with the mg midget for.

2025-09-21 12:16:02 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1961-jaguar-e-type-series-1-flat-floor-ots-gZ5lD8

Seller's description:

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Flat Floor OTS

Colour Red

Odometer 3,596 Miles

Engine size 3781cc

Transmission Manual, 4 speed

Steering position Right Hand Drive

Middlesex, London, United Kingdom

Verified early RHD ‘Flat Floor’ OTS Roadster

Retains its correct Carmen Red colour scheme 

Full matching numbers example with correct ‘R’ prefix engine number

Appeared in the 60's TV program "The Avengers"

Comprehensive £60,000 restoration by XK Engineering between 1989-1991

Extensive history file with complete restoration documentation

Most Flat Floor cars were LHD export models, because that’s where the bulk of production went. This car is a genuine UK market RHD OTS. It is car number 218, built in October 1961, just 6 months after production began. The Heritage Certificate verifies the current Carmen Red finish and Biscuit leather cabin as correct and also that it is a matching numbers model with the correct pre-march 1963 ‘R’ engine prefix. 

During the car’s early life it played a starring role alongside Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg in The Avengers’ episode ‘Dead Man’s Treasure.’ Despite that vital provenance, by the mid-'80s the car was in a sorry state. It was entrusted to E-Type experts XK Engineering, who began a two-year renovation that delivered the car you see in the photos. The work cost the equivalent of £60,000. 

MOT records show that it has been used regularly but sparingly in the years since. It remains in very good order, just a few minor cosmetic points to note in photos. These don’t detract and would be easy to remedy if the buyer wishes. Alternatively, there is an argument to say they add to this illustrious car’s character. 

History and Paperwork

Originally delivered by Henlys of London on 30th October 1961 

First keeper G.C. Cussens of Enfield, Middlesex

Seven registered keepers according to DVLA 

Current keeper since November 2023 

Featured in the 60's TV program "The Avengers" in "Dead Man's Treasure" episode

Comprehensive restoration by Jaguar specialists XK Engineering 1989-1991

Total restoration cost of £25,000 (when labour charges were £20.00 per hour)

This equates to around £60,000 with inflation taken into account 

JDHT production record trace certificate confirming original Carmen Red coachwork

Same certificate verifies the car as matching numbers

Engine number R2247-9 is correct for a pre-March 1963 E-Type 

Chassis number 850218 confirms car as an early OTS RHD 

Comprehensive file containing every invoice from the restoration period

Well-presented photographic record documenting the entire restoration process

MOT records support displayed mileage for recent usage 

The Condition

Extensively restored over two years to 1991 by XK Engineering 

Carmen Red exterior paintwork presents in very good order

Light marks to note in photos to paintwork 

Flush panel fit, including doors, bonnet and boot which can be checked in photos 

Chromework presents well and is correct for an early Series 1 car 

Chrome wire wheels in good order

Black fabric roof with matching tonneau 

Original specification Biscuit leather interior appears in smart condition for its age

Light age to driver’s bolster and to driver’s door trim as shown in photos 

Sympathetically used since restoration, helping preserve its condition we are told

Aluminium trim, classic radio and correct three-spoke wood-rimmed wheel 

Biscuit carpets in good order with light age to the driver’s footwell 

Biscuit vinyl trim to boot area

The joy of an early ‘Flat Floor’ is spotting the retained features. Restoration can mean some get lost, so the trick is to entrust any work to a reputable repairer who knows these cars inside out. This car's renovation in the late '80s by specialist XK Engineering firmly ticks that box.

Alongside the original features, this car retains its correct Carmen Red over Biscuit leather colour combination. These materials are in very good order, with only some light marks associated with the passage of 34 years to note in the photos. 

The Mechanics

3,781cc XK straight six engine 

Triple SU carburettors 

Correct ‘R’ prefix engine number 

4spd Moss gearbox

Vendor states that the car is fully matching numbers

Sparingly used but well-maintained since 

Engine pulls strongly according to the vendor

Alongside retaining those all-important early features, the value in an early Flat Floor car lies in it being a matching numbers car. The vendor states, and the Jaguar Heritage certificate verifies that this is a matching numbers car with the 3.8L straight six XK engine and ‘Moss’ gearbox. Before early 1963, these cars were fitted with ‘R’ prefix engine numbers, which this car has. 

The car’s restoration included the mechanicals, and it is reported to run and drive very well. It has been used sparingly since completion, as confirmed by MOT records, but maintained well. This is a collector-owned car that will grace any new collection. 

2025-09-28 19:28:41 | Capt RD writes:

Winning bid

£87,500 9/28/2025

Car And Classic Ltd