1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Semi-Lightweight Coupé ( FIA Papers)

This particular Series 1 E-Type Coupé is number #756 of the run and, as the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, was despatched to Jaguar dealer Bearts of Kingston-upon-Thames on 8th August 1962 prior to being registered to its first owner, U. Emlyn of Broad Oak, Carmarthen, just one week later. Finished in black with a red leather interior it was initially registered 283 XPJ. In the late 1990s, the owner at the time decided to convert the car into a semi-lightweight racer and much of the work was carried out by Jim Morse of Abingdon and subsequently by noted race engineer, Bob Neville, owner of RJN Motorsport of Didcot and latterly more famous for preparing cars and drivers for the Nissan GT Academy programme.

‘#756’ has remained a semi-lightweight race car ever since and, after a few years in storage, we pick up the story in 2015/'16 when Classic Performance Engineering, who are based in Bicester, prepared the car for competition once more but this time to considerably more demanding modern standards. Once these works were completed an application was sent to the Motor Sports Association for a Historic Technical Passport and the car was successfully inspected and issued with FIA HTP papers, which are valid until December 2026.

Now finished in metallic grey, the car has recently benefitted from further attention by Jaguar specialists, M&C Wilkinson. The competition preparation by them included a braking system, rear axle roll bar, peg-drive wheels and Dunlop race tyres. The vendor tells us that the car still uses the normal head and steel tub, ensuring it remains eligible for a variety of purposes.  Whilst run by Wilkinsons, the car boasted an enviable 100% finishing record in the Jaguar Challenge Series.

In March 2020, it was purchased by its current owner from the Sayer Collection, who were asked to make the car a bit more road-friendly as he intended to use it on tours, so a handbrake and door locks were fitted along with registering the car as an historic vehicle under the registration ‘824 FBX’.

Sadly, the current owner does not have the capacity to use the car as he originally intended and has not had the opportunity to race it but it has been enjoyed on the occasional road journey. The time has come, therefore, for the next owner to enjoy the versatility on offer here as a genuine, fast-road spec, early Coupé or as an entry into some of the best historic motorsport events on offer.

Offered with a variety of paperwork confirming the level of expenditure that has been invested in the car over the years, its current FIA HTP papers, build photos and the Heritage Certificate, this appears to offer serious value considering how much it would cost to replicate and develop to this level today. We recommend any interested parties get in touch and come and see the car for themselves at The Classic.