1963 Jaguar E-Type 'Series 1' 3.8-Litre Roadster, Registration no. Not UK Registered Chassis no. 879300

* Delivered new to the USA
* Restored in Germany between 2010 and 2014
* Little used since completion
* Beautiful condition

'If Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans has been responsible for the new E-Type Jaguar, then that Homeric contest on the Sarthe circuit will have been abundantly justified. Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.'

There have been few better summaries of the E-Type's manifest virtues than the forgoing, penned by the inimitable John Bolster for Autosport shortly after the car's debut. Conceived and developed as an open sports car, the Jaguar E-Type debuted at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 in Coupé form. The car caused a sensation - spontaneous applause breaking out at the unveiling - with its instantly classic lines and a 150mph top speed. The newcomer's design owed much to that of the Le Mans-winning D-Type sports-racer, a monocoque tub forming the main structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the 3.8-litre, triple-carburettor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. Its engine aside, only in terms of its transmission did the E-Type represent no significant advance over the XK150, whose durable four-speed Moss gearbox it retained.

With a claimed 265bhp available, E-Type's performance did not disappoint; 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. Today, the E-Type's graceful lines live on in modern Jaguar sports cars, and there can be little doubt that William Lyons' sublime creation would feature in any knowledgeable enthusiast's 'Top Ten' of the world's most beautiful cars of all time.

This sought-after E-Type Series 1 roadster comes with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate showing that it was built in left-hand drive configuration and despatched from the factory on 15th February 1964 to Jaguar Cars, New York. Its original colour scheme was Silver Blue with Dark Blue interior trim and Black soft-top, the same as it is today. The Certificate also confirms that '879300' retains matching engine and gearbox numbers.

The E-Type was acquired by the present owner in 2008. The odometer reading at that time was 60,499 miles, of which 12,466 miles had been covered by the previous owner during the period 1989-2008. The car was restored by the present owner between 2010 and 2014 with great care being taken to preserve its originality. It was completely disassembled – bonnet included – and then stripped and rebuilt following extensive body repairs: the floor, inner and outer sills, boot floor, and door panels all being replaced. The engine likewise has been fully overhauled, and an upgraded starter motor and upgraded radiator fitted. The entire restoration was carried out by German specialist companies to the highest standards.

Accompanying documentation consists of invoices and photographs of the restoration; miscellaneous German TüV reports; German registration papers; three expired UK MoT certificates: and the aforementioned JHT Certificate. It should be noted that although the car was previously registered in the UK as 'ABM 824B', it is not known if that registration mark is still available.

Since the restoration's completion this exceptional E-Type has been driven only a few kilometres, which included being displayed at the 40th anniversary meeting of the Jaguar Drivers' Club Switzerland (JDCS), and is described as in cosmetically and mechanically excellent condition. Presented in its original, rare and elegant colour combination, '879300' represents a wonderful and rare opportunity to purchase a well-restored example of this most iconic model in such good condition.