1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster – Chassis #850027

The story of the E-Type requires little introduction, however, what perhaps does need explaining is the importance of early E-Types to understand how the pursuit of the unobtainable drives even the best-heeled of collector's. The most sought of all the E-Types are the first 92 RHD cars produced - all featuring and identified by their outside bonnet locks. In total, 56, so almost all of the first cars, were supplied in July 1961 to the Jaguar dealerships, most to be the demonstrator for each dealer who were forbidden to sell these cars until that September. With most of the first 20 cars produced being allocated for competition use, the very first road cars are considered to be the Holy Grail of all collector cars. Chassis #027 is a rare opportunity to enjoy the thrill of ownership unsurpassed by many other exotic cars, and works out to be the 10th chassis number of the road going examples released outside Jaguar's hand-picked first clients.Not only does it have the much revered 'flat floors' and 'outside bonnet locks' but in fact a whole myriad of other specific very early features including a smooth cut-away groove at the top of the A-post cappings, single boot hinges, thicker screen chrome mouldings, thinner dashboard top-roll, Lucas PL front lamps, split-link throttle linkage and separate, welded-in bonnet louvres.As car Number 27 there are in fact a great many parts that could be considered 'pre-production' and these have all been greatly considered and preserved wherever possible during the intensive and careful restoration. So good and so iconic, this actual car is the one depicted on the recent commemorative Royal Mail Stamps which featured six British Classics, with a first day cover included within the history file. Rumoured to have been first owned by Mike Hailwood in 1961 regrettably these claims cannot be corroborated, although it seems very likely he must have had the use of it at some point, however, what is known is that #027 was gifted to 21-year-old Alan Wood in 1964, before a short period of ownership by budding Pilot Joe Tonna which saw him straight-swap his Carmen Red E-Type for Julian Soddy's yellow MGB roadster in the early 70's. Chassis number 27 was then owned, cherished and even hill-climbed by enthusiastic Pilot, Julian Soddy until 1978. Julian used this car devotedly even honeymooning in his beloved E-Type. Included in the history file is a wonderful account of his eight year tenure living and loving 850027. One particularly fine tale is offered: "My fiancé was also my secretary and therefore often drove the Jaguar. She always told me that she never exceeded 60mph, but naturally I suspected otherwise, and often expressed this opinion to the accompaniment of vigorous denials. One morning we had to drive to a neighbouring airfield some 12 miles away in order to pick up the Stampe after some maintenance work. I strapped myself to the aeroplane and after a short, but mandatory, aerobatic display, I set heading for base. I flew at 1500ft and sighted the E-Type some five miles along the main road, obviously going at a rate of knots. I decided to formate on her and sat at about 500ft above and behind the rocketing Jaguar with air speed indicator hovering on 100kts. That's about 120mph or so but in fairness there was a headwind of about 15-20kts which still made the speed in excess of the magical ton. I had my proof, but despite protestations of underhand tactics I knew deep down that it wouldn't make any difference, so I married the girl!"Showing signs of passionate usage, #027 was sold in 1978 to Guy Black of Lynx Motors who set about a full and complete restoration. This was only part completed before Walter C. Hill, himself an airline pilot and recognised Jaguar collector in the USA received this E-Type via the Port of Miami in late June 1980. Here chassis 27 would be the first member of what was to become a world class Jaguar collection; being later joined by such stable mates as a C-Type, D-Type, XKSS, the original Low Drag E-Type "CUT 7", alongside one of the 12 original lightweight E-Types, an IMSA/Le Mans 1980's Jaguar XJR 5 and XK120 chassis number 670001. Walter was exceptionally hands-on and over the period of two or three years completed the restoration begun by Guy Black to an exceptional and sympathetic standard.By 2005 the Hill collection was becoming too much and several cars, including #027 was sold by auction eventually arriving on British shores to known UK collector, the late Mr Henry Weitzman of Rickmansworth. Re-registered in the UK in 2006 this car was assigned registration number 880 UXR as it retains today. On returning to UK shores and joining the Weitzman collection, chassis #027 was entrusted to Webster & Lancaster of Hertfordshire whereupon some £3,000 was spent on a thorough service and recommissioning. Now showing just 300 something miles, it is believed that this could indeed be the genuine mileage post-restoration in 1980-83.The history is interesting and has been summarised in a Jaguar World Monthly magazine feature from July 2012 by Jim Patten which is present in the history file. In 1968 this particular E-Type starred in the film "Don't raise the bridge, lower the river" starring Jerry Lewis, Terry Thomas, Bernard Cribbins and a young Patricia Routledge where chassis #027 can be seen in several scenes.The heritage certificate confirms its original purpose as the launch model for Jaguar House of Oxford, having been distributed by Henlys of London on the 13th June 1961, and that the existing colour combination of Carmen Red with Black leather trim is correct. The registration 200 MFC was assigned at the time though this was sadly lost in 1975 when the irresistible "1 XKE' was sourced for #850027. This is the actual car featured in the original E-Type guide book by Anders Ditlev Clausager; 'Factory Original - Jaguar E-Type' to define the 3.8 models. The book is the official Jaguar Heritage originality bible with #027 featured throughout and, as already mentioned, it is also the actual car featuring on a set of six Royal Mail first class stamps depicting six definitive British classic cars.Possibly the definitive Jaguar connoisseur's dream collectable it is in fabulous and pristine yet not over-restored condition today and represents a very special opportunity.