1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster Chassis no. 876887 Engine no. R4492-9

1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster Chassis no. 876887 Engine no. R4492-9
3,781cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine3 SU Carburetors265bhp at 5,500rpm4-Speed Manual Transmission4-Wheel Independent Suspension4-Wheel Disc Brakes*Enticing 'Barn Find' condition, with excellent hidden originality*Still in its stunning factory-delivered livery of Opalescent Silver Blue over Blue*Retains matching-numbers engine block, cylinder head and gearbox per Heritage Certificate*Less than 37,000 miles recorded on the odometer*An ideal car to restore, or preserve with a sensible cosmetic cleanup and mechanical restorationTHE JAGUAR E-TYPEWhen introduced at the 1961 Geneva Salon, Jaguar's E-Type stirred passions with its extremely sleek and timeless design backed by staggering performance. The newcomer's design owed much to that of the racing D-Type. Indeed, the E-Type would be one of the last great sports cars developed directly from a successful competition ancestor. Just as in the D-Type, a monocoque tub formed the main body/chassis structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. With a claimed 265 horsepower on tap, the E-Type's performance furthered the standards set by the preceding XK models: firstly, because it weighed around 500lbs less than the XK150 and secondly because aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer used experience gained with the D-Type to create one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car.THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDOffered here is an early, 3.8-liter example of the classic first-generation E-Type. Finished at the Browns Lane Jaguar factory in March of 1962, this car was produced in the 8th month of E-Type production. The new E-Type Roadster was left-hand drive and finished in Opalescent Silver Blue over a Dark Blue interior and blue Roadster top, just as seen on the car today. The car was slotted for North American delivery and was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York on March 23rd, 1962.The E-Type is known to have been sold new in California, and remained here until 1968, at which point the car was brought to the previous owner's winter family-home in Arizona, and soon after stored away until recently. Today, the Series 1 E-Type Roadster is presented as an enticing 'barn find' car, caked in dry Arizona sand after decades of storage. But underneath that cover of dirt, one finds excellent hidden originality, with a largely untouched engine compartment and trunk. The car still presents in the as-delivered Opalescent Silver Blue exterior color, and with an interior that very much appear to be the original. Less than 37,000 miles are recorded on the odometer, quite possibly the genuine mileage. Importantly, the Jaguar retains its matching-numbers engine block, cylinder head and gearbox per the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate on file. The old Arizona license plate is still on the car, and the original keys, jack with handle are in place. With a healthy and dry Roadster body, this would be an ideal car to restore, or preserve with a sensible cosmetic cleanup and mechanical recommissioning.