Chassis No. 875231

Engine No. R 1346-9

Body No. R 1315

Following the success at Le Mans during the 1950s, Jaguar's racing department was tasked with building a road-going sports car with the construction techniques of the famed D-Type to replace the XK150. When unveiled to the public in March 1961, Jaguar's latest creation stunned the sports car world. Powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six, unitary body construction, independent suspension, and front and rear disc brakes, all enveloped by a sleek and gorgeous body. Order books were quickly filled.

Chassis number 875231 is bestowed with all the desirable features found in early series production examples. Completing production on 15 July 1961 made this car one of only 385 left-hand drive roadsters to leave the factory with sleek covered headlights and exterior hood latch, along with less readily apparent features such as flat floors in the passenger compartment and louvers that were welded to the hood compared to the later examples where they are stamped directly into the hood.

According to the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, this Roadster was delivered new in gleaming Opalescent Bronze with a complementary Beige interior and Fawn folding soft top. After decades of enthusiast ownership, the car was thoroughly restored by noted California based Jaguar specialist Richard Darnell in approximately 2000 to its present triple black configuration with matching black paint, leather interior, and soft top. As a testament to the work that went into this Jaguar, the car scored 100 points in the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA) competition in 2001. The lore of this E-Type is further enhanced as it has been included in the collection of celebrated race car driver Bobby Rahal, not once, but on two separate occasions.

Since its showing in 2001, the car has remained in magnificent condition and surely would be a welcome contender at any Jaguar club event. Accompanying the car is a copper mallet, jack, and documentation with photographs during the restoration and maintenance records. When searching for a well-documented Jaguar E-Type with all of the highly desirable early features, this nationally awarded 1961 3.8-liter Roadster combines all of those features into one stunning presentation.

Please note that Broad Arrow has an ownership interest in this Lot in whole or in part.