1967 Jaguar E-TYPE SERIES I 4.2 ROADSTER

1967 Jaguar E-TYPE SERIES I 4.2 ROADSTER
Chassis no. 1E15966
Engine no. 7E13765-8
4,235cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 SU Carburetors
265bhp at 5,400rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Meticulously restored by renowned marque specialists
*Matching-numbers, covered headlight example in spectacular triple-black livery
*Delivered new to Cannes, France
*Accompanied by $247,294.62 in restoration receipts and Heritage Certificate

THE JAGUAR E-TYPE

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 sportscar, 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 140mph-plus top speed. The design owed much to that of the racing D-Type, a monocoque tub forming the main structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the 3.8-liter, triple-carburetor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. Aerodynamically, the Coupé was superior to the Roadster and the better Grand Tourer, enjoying as it did a marginally higher top speed and the considerable convenience of a generously sized luggage platform accessed via the side-hinged rear door.

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. The latter was replaced when the 4.2-liter engine was introduced on the Series 1 in October 1964, a more user-friendly all-synchromesh gearbox and superior Lockheed brake servo forming part of the improved specification together with the bigger, torquier engine. Apart from '4.2' badging, the car's external appearance was unchanged, but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements, chiefly to the electrical and cooling systems, and to the seating arrangements. Top speed remained unchanged at around 150mph, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine being improved flexibility.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunning Series l E-Type benefits not only from an extensive recent restoration, but also from having been delivered new to Cannes, France - quite a rare destination for an E-Type from this era as most of them went to the US market. Truly magnificent in its as-delivered triple black livery, this E-Type was completed in August of 1967 as a Series I model, and dispatched later that month with the note 'Overseas Delivery to Cannes, France'. A Mr. Jack R. Hayward is noted as the first owner of this left-hand drive, covered headlight example. The black E-Type Roadster later migrated to the US, where it eventually came into the ownership of Dr. Michael Carl Mueller of Austin, TX; co-author of the book Jaguar E-Type Originality Guide. In 2015, Dr. Mueller sold the Jaguar to the consignor, a sophisticated collector of exceptional European sports cars, who soon embarked on a comprehensive restoration. The Series I E-Type was a great candidate, intact with its original components and without modification to the body work. The consignor commissioned an open-wallet, nut-and-bolt restoration by marque specialist David Ferguson, of Images Auto Body, Campbell, California. The restoration was completed in 2017 to concours standards, and is fully chronicled with photographs, receipts and invoices. 3 CD's documenting the restoration totaling $247,294.62 can be found in the cars history file, alongside the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate confirming its matching-numbers status and original triple-black livery.

Mr. Ferguson and his team went above and beyond with this restoration, stripping the car back to the bare metal tub and reassembled according to factory specifications. Triple plated chrome, cadmium plated hardware, correct fabric interior and top and the complete electrical system redone to factory specifications is just the top of the iceberg. The original matching numbers engine was completely rebuilt with sport cams and lightened flywheel, as was the remainder of the driveline, braking and suspension systems. Tasteful performance upgrades were incorporated to improve drivability without losing originality, such as the installment of a 5-speed transmission and aluminum radiator, performance exhaust, and upgraded suspension bushings, shocks and torsion bars. 72-spoke wire wheels were fitted, mounted on Blockley tires. Absolutely stunning through and through, this fabulous E-Type brings its new caretaker the prestige and power of an iconic marque in what must be one of the best presented examples period.