1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Roadster

Registration No: VOO 290
Chassis No: 1E1245
MOT: September 2025

• An original UK home market, right-hand drive example
• Accompanied by a large history file including Jaguar heritage certificate
• First supplied in 1965 in swinging 60's London
• Subject to a cosmetic overhaul two years ago
• Currently owned and maintained by a highly regarded Jaguar specialist engineer

Among the last century's great motoring icons, Jaguar's E-type has always inspired loyalty and devotion. Born out of the fabulous D-type racer, the model soon acquired a strong competition heritage of its own. Launched at the 1961 Geneva Salon, the Big Cat proved faster and more glamorous than virtually any production rival. Certainly, few could match its reputed 150mph top speed. At a time when Ferrari's lauded 250SWB and 250GTO made do with 'live' rear axles, the E-type utilised a sophisticated independent rear set-up with inboard disc brakes. While, rack and pinion steering enhanced the monocoque chassis's excellent roadholding and handling; putting it light years ahead of American designs like the Corvette. Revised in 1964, the E-type gained a torquier 4235cc powerplant and four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox of Jaguar's own design.

Chassis 1E 1245 was manufactured on the 3^rd May 1965 and despatched to Henlys of London on the 12^th of the same month. The recorded history starts in 1982, when it went into the custodianship of a Mr A Hughes. The car was lavished with expenditure, and in 1985 the decision was undertaken to cosmetically overhaul the car and change the colour to Red. Passing through the hands of several owners who continued to cherish the two-seater, a full engine overhaul was undertaken by the Hilltop garage in Lincoln in the 1990’s. 1E 1245 was acquired by the previous keeper through The E-Type Centre in 2003 for some £42,950 and he kept the car for some 19 years. An invoice from 2008 shows when the interior was re-trimmed in biscuit and a new mohair hood was fitted by E-Type UK in 2017. The vendor, an accomplished Jaguar engineer who is well known for preparing several historic Jaguar racing cars, acquired the big cat for his personal collection in 2022. Noting that it is a particularly fine example, he had the car repainted in 2023 and has used it very sparingly since.

Upon inspection, it was noted that the Roadster presents very well indeed and a short road test by the consignor to the photography session demonstrated a car that started very easily and that could be described as a very good drivers’ car. The vendor has advised that the E-Type presents in ‘very good’ condition all round and noted some upgrades including a tubular exhaust manifold and a 15” steering wheel of original styling to aid access to the driver’s position (the originals are larger).

Offered with a history file complete with the aforementioned invoices dating back to 1982, Jaguar heritage certificate and UK V5C, this is a fabulous opportunity to acquire a very good example of the genuinely iconic swinging sixties Roadster which was first registered in an equally swinging London.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430