1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster 4.2-Litre Eagle

Of all the versions of Jaguar's long-lived and much loved sports car, it’s the very early 3.8-litre cars built prior to February 1962 (retrospectively known as 'flat floor') which, for many enthusiasts, remain the most desirable. Around 2,000 of the early cars were built with a flat floor under the pedals, but the driving position was not ideal for taller drivers, so changes were made to the footwell, creating a recess for the driver's heels.

The lovely 1962 3.8-litre Roadster offered here is indeed one of those sought after early ‘flat-floor’ cars and the accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate confirms that #850334 was a right-hand drive car finished in Opalescent Gunmetal Grey with a dark blue interior and matching soft top. The build was finished on 6th January 1962 prior to being despatched on the 16th of the same month to Henlys, London, who registered it to its first lucky owner on the 29th. Interestingly, the chassis number and build date indicate that this was one of the first six right-hand drive roadsters built in 1962.

Whilst in the ownership of Malcolm Acors, the car was fully restored and upgraded to 4.2-litres by Fullbridge Jaguar in Maldon, Essex alongside a matching Coupé and both cars were featured in a multi-page article in Jaguar World Magazine. In 2007, 6032 DD was entrusted to Eagle E-Types to upgrade to a 'Sports-Specification Eagle' which appears to be a combination of their GT, Classic, Sport and Super option packages and a full list entitled 'Eagle Endorsed E-Type – Current Specification/Proposal' is with the car. It’s a long list, covering essentially electrics, cooling, suspension and brakes but there are some substantial upgrades including a 5-speed gearbox, high-lift camshafts, diaphragm clutch and 6" stainless wire wheels with modern tyres.

850334/6032 DD was purchased by our vendor on 17th February 2012 to join his Collection and was used very lightly, but regularly, over the following years as can be seen by the MOT history (for some of this time the car was registered 5 AXD). The indicated mileage at the time of cataloguing was 4,007. Annual servicing, check-overs and maintenance has been carried out by Eagle and they have also been responsible for storing the car for long periods. Copy invoices from Eagle to the value of £13,298 (all dated 2012) are in the file which also contains Job Cards for the following years. The hood (soft-top) appears to have been replaced in September 2012 at a cost of £2,600. The final invoice in the history file is from DK Engineering, dated 2nd July 2019 for an 'Annual Service & Report' at 3,660 miles and totalling £1,112.

Here at Iconic Auctioneers we have been instrumental in helping several hundred Jaguar E-Types find new homes and probably could be forgiven for becoming slightly blasé about these remarkable cars, however we defy anyone to look at these stunning Alan Kenny images of this Opalescent Gunmetal early Roadster relaxing in the late-afternoon sunshine and not feel that it is one of the most beautiful motor cars they had ever seen. We welcome and encourage any inspection of this important Jaguar.

NB: The Cherished Registration Number, 5 AXD, does not form part of the sale and will be replaced by the car's earlier registration number, 6032 DD