1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster

A Hong Kong-delivered, Series 1 Roadster project - one owner for 36 years and matching numbers

Accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms original colour combination of Opalescent Gunmetal with dark blue interior and black hood

Included is an impressive inventory of parts which has been photographed and documented in the car's history file

A rare opportunity and an exciting project

According to the accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate, this Series 1, 3.8-litre 'Roadster', chassis number 850858, was completed on the 12th March 1964 and dispatched to Gilman and Co, in Hong Kong. It left the factory in Opalescent Gunmetal with a dark blue interior, black hood and was fitted with a manual gearbox.

Prior to our vendor, the car was owned by its former custodian for 36 years and on his return to the UK from Hong Kong in 1984, he bought his beloved E-Type back with him. There is a handwritten log of work carried out from 1981 to 1984 before he left HK along with photograph albums showing the inventory completed when the car was dismantled in 1984 prior to shipping The components were labelled and packed, with the exception of the engine, the clutch, gearbox, rear axle and front suspension which are still fitted to the car enabling it to be rolled.

On its arrival in the UK, 850858 was immediately put into dry storage with the intention of carrying out a restoration, but nothing ever happened until the car passed to our vendor last summer. His intention was also to return the E-Type to its former glory but, unfortunately, more pressing projects have forced a reluctant sale.

The aforementioned history file containing the detailed handwritten notes mentioned earlier is accompanied by various boxes containing an impressive inventory of parts which have mainly been photographed and documented. Included in the inventory are an unused stainless steel exhaust system, four unused chrome wire wheels, a hood assembly, and seats. Other documentation includes The Government of Hong Kong Certificate of particulars of vehicles supplied under regulation 4, dated 3.1.17 and the HMRC NOVA document confirming that UK duties have been paid.

The odometer is reading 22,631, which considering the long-term storage and the size of Hong Kong could well be correct but cant be warranted. However, it is a matching-numbers, 3.8 Series I roadster, so no matter what the mileage this is an exciting and rare opportunity.