1961 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES 1 3.8 “FLAT FLOOR”

- One of the incredibly collectible early examples, featuring a “flat floor” body
- Impressively restored by Lynx in original color scheme
- Original European version (always been in Austria since new)
- According to Enzo Ferrari the most beautiful car in the world
- Retains all it’s matching numbers (gearbox / engine head and engine under block)
- When it was launched in 1961, the appeal of E-Type transcended the automotive world. Such is the inherent rightness of its proportions, stance and purity of line, that it is a permanent exhibit in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

The now iconic E-Type set new standards in automotive design and performance when it was launched in 1961. Its influence is still apparent in Jaguar’s modern range: cars that offer a peerless blend of performance, comfort, cutting-edge technology and award-winning design.

The Jaguar E-type was a sensation when it was launched, and remains Jaguar’s most enduring and iconic symbol. The E-Type is simply one of the most exciting cars ever created and a legacy to the genius of Jaguar’s founder, Sir William Lyons.’

E-Type owners included celebrities such as George Best, Brigitte Bardot, Tony Curtis and Steve McQueen and the sports car became as synonymouswith the Swinging Sixties as the Beatles and the mini skirt.

‘It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had when it was unveiled in 1961,’ said Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director. ‘Here was a car that encapsulated the spirit of the revolutionary era it came to symbolize. The E-Type is a design that even today continues to inform the work we do in styling the Jaguars of the future.’

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, Jaguar’s E-Type caused a sensation. Capable of achieving 150mph, but costing a fraction of the price of rivals with similar performance, it was the affordable super car and became an instant icon which remained on sale for 14 years.

Some of the Jaguar E-Type facts:

• The E-Type was presented to the world’s press at the restaurant du Parc des Eaux Vives in Geneva on 15th March 1961. Such was the media excitement and clamour for demonstration runs up a nearby hill climb that Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons instructed chief test driver Norman Dewis to drive through the night from Coventry to bring another model to Switzerland.

• Even Enzo Ferrari admitted it was ‘the most beautiful car in the world.’

• The E-type’s straight-six engine had powered Jaguar to five Le Mans victories in the 1950s and by 1961 in 3.8-litre form produced 265bhp and 260lb ft of torque, making the car a genuine 150mph proposition and, like its XK120 predecessor, the fastest production car in the world.

• At launch the E-Type cost £2,256 15s, including purchase tax and the all-important optional wire wheels

• The E-Type’s perfectly proportioned bodywork was the work of Malcolm Sayer, an aeronautical engineer by training who also applied his aerodynamic expertise in shaping the earlier Le Mans-winning C and D-Type racers.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This beautiful and very rare Jaguar Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster Flatfloor is an exceptional example of the model.

Its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate records the E-Type as being dispatched on 20 October 1961 January and then delivered to a Mr. Ostersetzer in Vennia, Austria.

As far as we could find, Mr. Ostersetzer was the import of luxury watches in Austria.

This Jaguar E-type is newly delivered in the color scheme which is still on the car, a Cream exterior with a light blue interior and a black soft-top.

The car was not delivered to Vienna but collected by Mr Ostersetzer from the factory as a Personal Export Delivery. It was registered by Jaguar with UK registration 156WK. Two years later he sold it to Otto Jungbauer, a Linz jeweller and he kept the car until 1969 when it returned to Vienna with its third owner. The car was finally de-registered and taken off the road in 1985.

The Jaguar was found in a barn in the Vienna Woods and was in superb order for a restoration. The car had no rust and still showed all it’s matching numbers including the number on the engine and gearbox.

The restoration which was carried out on the car is very well archived with a photo book. The photo book shows the intense and very accurate restoration of the E-type.

The restoration was carried out in the UK by well known specialist Lynx.

The restoration has taken 5 years and was finished in 2018.

Lynx confirmed the following:

“Lynx has detailed knowledge about early Flatfloors. The records contain not only thousands of photos of original cars but also samples of original materials and spare parts, that are not available. All surface coatings are to original specification: cadmium plated, browned, or painted black, chromed, big gloss painted etc.

This Flatfloor restored by Lynx is like a car that has just left the production line. Methodical research and the Lynx records guarantee a meticulous result and 100% originality”.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

Restoration pictures which are coming with the Jaguar show an impressive restoration by a top specialist whereby the entire body was taken apart for restoration. The result of the restoration is very impressive.

Its body integrity is very good throughout, with excellent gaps, straight panels, and good fit and operation of the panels.

The color of the E-type (still the original/delivery color) shows beautifully on the car and has a beautiful deep shine.

The chrome parts fit excellent on the car. We often see E-types whereby the bumpers or the lamp surroundings are badly fitted but this E-type has superb fittings.

The quality of the chrome is excellent and has a nice deep shine.

The glass and lights are also in very good condition. No damages whatsoever are visible.

The chrome wire wheels and desirable “eared” knock-offs are smoothly plated with no major flaws.

All four matching tires are in very good condition.

CONDITION INTERIOR

The interior of the Jaguar is excellent, having been thoroughly restored.

The upholstery, carpets, softtop, and dashboard are all in a perfect restored condition.

Nearly every aspect of the interior was redone, including the dashboard and center console. The headliner was replaced with a new correct wool one and the load space was included in the restoration and presents essentially as new.

The restoration has been carried out by a specialist resulting in the use of the period correct materials but also in the correct specification.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT / UNDERNEATH

The engine and engine bay look excellent, very clean without big signs of age or use.

The engine block and head show the correct matching numbers.

Underneath the car looks equally nice and one can clearly see that attention has been given to detailing and restoration of the undercarriage.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

It is not strange that driving this icon is very special. Still now, the driving capabilities of this Jaguar E-type are very special. It is not a difficult car to drive but it needs good handling because of the power in the car. The car is very solid at speed, runs wonderfully, and maintains excellent temperatures.

The car starts easily and the engine pulls very strong in all gears.

A Jaguar E-type is one of the best driving cars of the 60’s. The power as well as the handling is very impressive.

A common problem is the ratio of the rear differential as the US cars have a ratio for the allowed speed on their highways.

As this example is a European example the car has the European ratio making it a much more comfortable example to drive on the European highways.

The brakes and steering of the Jaguar E-type can be described as excellent which results in a perfect handling.

One cannot just see that this Jaguar is impressively restored, one can also feel it when driving the car. Driving this E-type gives a very solid feeling.

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.