For Sale by Schaltkulisse North America Corp. Call HUGH ANGLE: +1 (516) 460-2515
Following the Jaguar D-Types iconic success at the Le Mans 24-hour race in the previous decade, development started on the XK - E project and the first ever E-Type Jaguar was the product of dedicated development at the hands of the Jaguar racing team. It was therefore to no ones surprise how successful the car was both in popularity as well as performance both on and off the racing circuits.

The car was first displayed to the press on 15 March 1961 to an unbelievable level of excitement, giving birth to a true automotive icon. The first E-type was a hand-built prototype, and before its official launch the car was lent discreetly to a few journalists to prepare their road test features in the UK. But with the launch scheduled to take place in Geneva, these loans left precious little time to transport the car in good time for the show.

To make the opening day, the E-type was driven flat out on the evening of 14 March 1961. Jaguar executive Bob Berry jumped behind the wheel and drove flat out from Coventry to Geneva arriving a mere 20 minutes before its scheduled unveiling. The E-type received a quick clean before being revealed to an astonished world press.

Such was the demand for test drives during the show that legendary Jaguar Test Driver Norman Desis was told to deliver another demonstrator – the open top 77RW – to Geneva by driving through the night. Another high speed run was completed with moments to spare.

Not only were the looks unquestionably beautiful but the new sports car from Coventry in the UK, was incredibly affordable at around £2,250, or around $50,000 in today’s money. The incredible reception the car received meant that orders flooded in from all over the world, especially Hollywood stars and even Enzo Ferrari was noted as exclaiming it to be “the most beautiful car in the world” during its unveiling on March 15th 1961.

The factory 3.8-litre engine produced 265bhp at the time and could reach a top speed of 150mph, which made it the fastest production car in the world at that time. That was just as well, as Jaguar had already printed brochures claiming it was capable of the magic 150mph before the car went into production! In total the production run saw 3 series which culminated in the 5.3 liter V12, Series 3, produced in 1971.

This 1962 Series 1 coupe we have for sale has lost none of its original charm. The meticulous dedication to details is apparent throughout the car and the notable upgrades bring a modern and luxury feeling to what was already a fabulous car!

During the Covid lock downs, the owner decided to undertake the project in order to raise money for charity. Being a surgeon with meticulous attention to detail, with his incredible Jaguar knowledge, having built and owned almost half a dozen different varieties of early Jaguars, including three different XKE’s, he decided to create a something special to cross the US with his son for a good cause. He enlisted the help of Master Jaguar engineer, David Ferguson. David found the donor XK E Type FHC in a shed in northern California where it had been for 25 years in dismantled condition as a project for its owner that was never completed. This example, a Series 1 FHC was produced after the ‘flat floor’ production run, which was good news as the Surgeon was 6 foot tall and the later cars allowed for more leg room. The car left the factory in September of 1962 and was exported directly to New York before making its way to California where it was discovered. Dave Fergusen who owns Images Autobody, Cambell CA, undertook the full restoration and upgrades to improve the car that was never intended to be a show car but instead a more reliable, superb driving machine.

Being taken apart but all documented to ensure no parts were missing, meant that anything incorrect could be easily spotted, replaced or restored correctly and all the hidden areas of the body work were visible.

The body was completely stripped down and bead blasted prior to paint. All metal work was restored, rechromed and the body powder coated correctly prior to being painted correct but later 1965-67 color, Opalescent Silver Gray (green tint). The hood was also replaced with a Le Mans style all lightweight aluminum fabricated bonnet to reduce weight. The engine was stripped, itemized and sent to the machine shop to be completely rebuilt and upgraded with a performance cylinder head (original rebuilt and kept with the car), Delong Sport cams (slightly civilized) with 9:1 compression, a lightened fly wheel, widen head, electronic ignition, better oil cooler, and many improvements including new braided brake and clutch lines, a new clutch mated to a standard 4.2 synchronized rebuilt gear box, high torque starter motor, 3.07 rear end upgrade, upgraded cooling system to a 4.2 style including a water pump, better radiator, Eagle aluminum surge tank, silicone hoses, stainlesss steel clamps and 4.2 intake manifold with air cleaners as desired.

The fuel pump was upgraded with a remote dual head external 4.2 style with mount wielded in. An internal selectable switch operated electronic power steering system was installed and upgraded Moto Lito steering wheel installed. Next to that Power steering switch is also a secondary cooling fan switch attached to the aluminum radiator cooling fan that is solid state with ten blades to ensure hot weather driving isn’t an issue. Furthermore, is an air-conditioning switch mounted to the top of the steering wheel! The Throttle linkage, a 4.2 upgrade, was included which meant modifications were made to the peddle assemble and power servo. Dynomat sound deadening was installed on the floors, doors and inside the roof.

The front and rear brakes were improved and upgraded to the lto 4.2 model and suspension was upgraded with coil over adjustable (20 levels) shocks and reinforced front springs have adjustable collars all supported by the Ferguson signature strengthened picture frame. Reinforced upper A arms and suspension was chosen, together with aluminum brake jars, 4.2 heat shielding for exhaust down pipes to keep servo’s cool. A Big Bear exhaust was chosen with two three-way collectors. For the dashboard central cluster, water temperature and manual oil pressure gauges were installed in place of the standard electric oil pressure gauge. In addition, rally trip computers were installed together with tire pressure sensor monitors. (dash removable with two thumb screws to be replaced with original if required). A modern stereo/satellite navigation screen was installed into the central consol (removable with 4 screws) The original center console containing a digitally converted period original radio comes with the car can be easily installed). A hard-wired batter tender cable, accessible with the hood closed was installed. A battery shutoff switch was hidden on the dash to be easily accessible. Three-point inertia safety belts were also installed that work on both sets of seats that accompany the car. One set is the early bucket style, and the second set is the more comfortable later 4.2 model style. Finally, in addition to all the work, fresh rubber was installed on the lightweight D type style wheels.

In short, everything has been considered within this build by a fastidious Jaguar collector who undertook the project. So much of it is reversable to allow for a more classic interior look and feel. It is simply a stunning example of what the Jaguar XKE should have been if modern upgrades were available in period! This fantastic Jaguar is built for the Sunday driver or enthusiast who wants to undertake tours and rallies like the Copper State 1000. It was built with the view to drive it in the Florida heat, so it is a great car for almost all climates!

The car was finally completed in early 2022 and in June that year was driven from San Francisco to Orlando without hitch – and averaged 19.5 mpg over more than 3500 miles. It returned to Ferguson to be serviced and re-freshed and has driven less than 400 miles since making it perfected de-bugged for the next custodian.

Complete with a nice array of spares, including a second set of seats, history file, tools, Jack, hammer and books.