Lot details
Registration No: BHK264A
Chassis No: 880759
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

By now, even the little green men of Mars must be aware that 2011 was the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type, such was the level of global celebration. And rightly so - this was the sports car that put the swinging into the 'swinging sixties' and that no lesser a man than Enzo Ferrari dubbed 'the most beautiful car in the world'.

The newcomer made its debut at the 1961 Geneva Salon. In common with the XK120, the new Jaguar was the fastest production car of its time - its 3.8-litre straight-six engine allowing a 0-60mph acceleration time of a whisker over seven seconds and a top speed of 150mph. The car was available either as a Fixed Head Coupe or a two-seater Roadster. It initially sported the same 3.8-litre version of the ubiquitous XK engine that powered the last of the XK150Ss; this was mated to a manual four-speed Moss box, with synchromesh on the top three gears. The suspension was independent all round and the newcomer featured power-assisted disc brakes - inboard at the rear.

'BHK 264A' is a handsome-looking left-hand drive, 'matching numbers' 3.8 Roadster that was supplied new in 1963 by Jaguar Cars New York to a Dr J Sullivan of Teanack, New Jersey. It was repatriated during 2011 and subsequently sympathetically restored as required and treated to a fresh coat of Black paint. The interior has also received attention and been retrimmed in Red leather. The odometer currently shows 16,000 miles - though not that low, the correct figure is believed to be below 40,000, which would tie in with the E-Type apparently laying idle from 1978 to c.2008. The vendor now describes the Jaguar as being in "excellent overall" condition and "an ideal platform for upgrades - ie a great buy for the enthusiast who likes to use their car on a regular basis". It is planned for there to be a fresh MOT by the time of sale.