1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-Litre Roadster

After all the fuss and fanfare of the 1961 launch of Jaguar's original 3.8-litre E-Type had died down, the company quietly introduced the new 4.2-litre car in late 1964. It was more of an evolution than a new model, but was significantly improved with more torque, a user-friendly gearbox, better brakes, brighter headlights and at long last, reasonably comfortable seats. It remained in production until the arrival of the one year-only Series I½ in 1967 followed by the S2 in 1968. With the benefit of hindsight, it's generally felt that early SIs, with their covered headlights and slimline bumpers, are the ones to have, retaining the elegant, uncluttered, head-turning lines of the original 3.8s but so much more enjoyable to drive. 

This beautifully presented, left-hand drive, Series I 4.2-litre E-Type Roadster was shipped new to New York, finished in Carmen Red with a black leather interior, where it was first registered to a Mr Robert Oraheim on 5th October 1965. Fast forward to the 2000s and the Jaguar was to be found in Oldenzaal, Netherlands where it was acquired in 2015 by its current owner.

Not long after his purchase, he commissioned a fastidious full nut and bolt restoration, the quality of which is obvious today. His intention was to create his personal ‘dream car’ finished and equipped exactly as he wanted. Naturally it was fully stripped, sandblasted, repaired where necessary and then prepared to accept numerous coats of Jaguar’s Golden Sand (a period correct factory colour). The engine and gearbox were rebuilt as were the suspension, brakes, hydraulics, electrics, in fact everything that you normally do when restoring an E-Type to concours-condition. The black leather interior was replaced by one in Bordeaux Red with matching carpets and a black dashboard and the attention to detail is really impressive.

Upgrades were carefully thought out and include ‘Dynamat Xtreme’ throughout offering better sound proofing and floor temperature control, a ‘Sundym’ windscreen to help keep the cockpit cool supported by modern air-conditioning, and beautiful 6.5" x 15" chrome wire wheels wrapped in new Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres. The soft top is now in a matching shade of red and the factory hard-top is finished in a Mercedes Obsidian Black.

The Jaguar is now in the UK and UK-registered, remaining quietly in a heated garage as part of a private Collection and having covered just four miles since the restoration. It’s accompanied by its tool kit, jack, spare wheel, car cover and its Heritage Certificate.

Over the years here at Iconic Auctioneers, combined with Classic Car Auctions, we have been entrusted with the sale of 378 examples of Jaguar’s legendary E-Type, it must be said, at varying levels of ‘gloriousness’, however, this lovely Series I is undoubtedly up there with the most desirable. We invite and encourage your view at our Sywell sale to appreciate the sheer quality on offer.