1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 - Fast Road-Specification

• Dispatched on 25/02/1963 to Jaguar Cars in New York for onward delivery to San Jose, California

• Imported to the UK and registered on the 10th June 1993, our vendor purchased the matching numbers E-Type in 2005

• The engine was rebuilt with new pistons, bearings, chains, high-flow oil filter and 2-inch Burlen carbs with flame guards

• A new clutch was fitted together with a Derek Watson suspension kit, uprated brakes and 2-inch full-flow stainless exhaust system

• Aluminium inner wings, ex-Modsports GRP racing bonnet with 22 aluminium louvres and lightweight headlight covers over new headlights

• Three full ring-bound folders document the exhaustive list of receipted works and the odometer reading is some 1,500 miles (atoc)

• As a former mechanical engineer in F1 racing and currently professor of automotive technology management, our vendor is meticulous

• A unique opportunity to purchase a matching-numbers, early E-Type for speedy UK jaunts and perfect for continental touring.

 

Volumes have been written about the E-Type and as this very special example demands serious attention, we shall go straight in. The accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms that the car was manufactured on the 7th February 1963 in left-hand drive and finished in Opalescent Dark Green with a Suede Green interior, the combination it wears today, and further confirms matching numbers engine and gearbox. Originally delivered to a Mr J.W. Smith of San Jose, California, a parking permit for the Santa Barbara Waterfront dated 1991 is still affixed to the windscreen today, the car was repatriated on the 10th June 1993 when it was registered in the UK, and subsequently purchased by our vendor on the 23rd December 2005.

Joining his extensive collection of cars, and resisting the urge to convert to right-hand drive, the intention was to create the ultimate 'fast-road' E-Type, retaining factory colours, whilst upgrading the car’s engine, suspension, brakes and auxiliaries using components supplied by specialists in the world of competition E-Types. Having spent a lifetime engaged in automotive engineering, mostly with competition cars, he was quite clear about the modifications and the exact components required to fulfil the 'fast-road car' brief.

A mechanical engineer, he started his career with the Rootes Group before moving into both Formula 1 and later Formula 2 as a development engineer working with drivers such as John Surtees and Graham Hill. Whilst retaining a passion for racing cars and motorbikes he subsequently moved into academia becoming Professor of Automotive Technology Management. A noted expert in his field, he has sat on various government and international committees relating to the automotive industry and was awarded a CBE by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of his service to the industry.

Full build details can be supplied via email, but we state in brief the extensive works carried out. The original engine was fully rebuilt; the head was restored and fitted with new 9.1 CR pistons with uprated rings, new seals, bearings and chains were fitted throughout together with an uprated oil pump. Burlen Fuel Systems supplied a trio of their bespoke 2in SUs with short bellmouths and flame guards, electronic ignition was fitted together with new electrical auxiliaries connected to a period-painted Lucas type battery. A new 2in full-flow stainless steel exhaust system provides a glorious soundtrack.

 The original gearbox was overhauled within the past 500 miles and mated to a new clutch and flywheel. Derek Watson was retained to upgrade the front suspension with improved wishbones, 4-pot Jaguar callipers and ventilated discs, as well as competition steering rack, roll-bar, bushes and XJS uprights and bearings with stainless steel brake lines. Four new MWS wire wheels, painted in body colour, enhanced by 2-eared chrome plated knock-offs, are shod with Pirelli P4000 tyres. To complement the mechanical works, a replica 'Lightweight E-Type' GRP competition bonnet with 22 aluminium louvres joined new aluminium inner wings, space-frame panels and new headlights under 'Lightweight' headlight covers.

Attention to the cabin included retrimming the competition leather seats and door cards, a new headlining and fresh carpets. Modern engine management technology is discreetly represented by a Derek Watson supplied temperature switch with JEC oil pressure gauge kit and sender unit and the 1963 period Motorola radio has been converted to MP3. The receipts for parts and invoices for all these works are neatly documented in three ring-binder folders and include the aforementioned Heritage Certificate, correspondence and paperwork. The odometer reading of some 1,500 miles, (at the time of cataloguing), is largely immaterial when considering the work carried out and the MOT is valid until the 4th October 2021.

 Very rarely does a matching-numbers E-Type in original left-hand drive and factory delivered colours come to market, and even less frequently one that has been treated to bespoke, circuit-focussed upgrades by a Formula 1 development engineer for his own enjoyment. Many 'fast-road' E-Types are simply a collection of parts from different specialists and are frequently not much fun to drive, whereas 'APB' has been engineered in a cohesive and intelligent way, carefully set-up, further tweaked, and set-up again, all of which has resulted in a simply spectacular road car

Regretfully offered to auction due to our vendor’s advancing years and limited mobility, this is a great opportunity to enjoy this superb handling, left-hand drive, fully rebuilt Grand Tourer on long continental trips.