1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Roadster

Chassis No. 10155
Engine No. 7E1339-9
Body No. 4E1186
One of the most immediately recognizable and aesthetically striking cars in British motoring history, the Jaguar E-Type stunned the world when it went on sale in 1961 with its sinuous Malcolm Sayer-penned lines. The Series 1 E-Type, recognized by its covered headlamps, received its first significant update to its 'XK' engine in 1965 when it was fitted with a 4.2-liter version of the twin-cam six, achieved by enlarging the cylinder bores to 92.1 mm. The 4.2-liter's 265 hp peak arrived at 5400 rpm, versus 5500 for the previously offered 3.8-liter six with torque increased by 18 percent, a boon to everyday driving.
All of this engine work was completed just one model year after replacing the Moss transmission with a fully synchronized, four-speed manual of Jaguar's own design and manufacture as well as new twin brake servos offering easier pedal effort. Also included in 1965 were updates to the electrical system, switching from positive to negative ground and the addition of a Lucas generator.
According to its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate this E-Type 'Open Two-Seater', as the roadsters are known, was dispatched to Jaguar Cars, New York on 14 October 1964 finished in Opalescent Maroon over black interior trim and a black soft top, though the original selling dealer is not recorded. The Heritage Certificate additionally confirms that chassis number 10155 retains its original numbers-matching engine block, however the head is without a serial number indicating it has been replaced at some point in the past. While little is known of the E-Type's specific early ownership history, it appears to have been a California car from new, owing to the presence of a single black license plate affixed to the front of the car today (which is also reflected on a 1996 title copy). Known ownership begins with a family in La Jolla, California in 1996, who kept it until September 2008, after which it passed into the Fleischman Collection.
Following acquisition by the Fleischmans, in 2012 the E-Type was entrusted to Steve's Jaguar Service of Canoga Park, CA. Copies of the invoice show service work completed to the carburetors, ignition & cooling systems, clutch master cylinder, and an oil pan reseal at a cost of nearly $6,000. In 2017 Abingdon West of Fallbrook, CA completed a $7,000 service that included a full carburetor rebuild, oil, transmission, and coolant flushes, brake and clutch fluid exchanges, as well as a host of other tune-up items. Most recently, it has seen attention paid to the fuel system with additional carburetor adjustments and tightening of the fuel sending unit.
Wearing an older but still pleasing cosmetic restoration in red over tan upholstery with a matching tan soft top, this E-Type was observed to start easily and run well during our photo shoot. A jack, tool roll with knock-off hammer, reproduction owner's manual, and service handbook are included, together with service receipts dating back to 2010.
The E-Type is one of the great British classics. With competition breeding and an enlarged engine, this 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 Roadster is a true “special-occasion” sports car. While the coupe-versus-roadster debate remains eternal, it is undeniable that an E-Type Roadster with the top down, on a sunny day is one of the world's best experiences, automotive or otherwise.