Cars for Sale

• Desirable outside bonnet lock home market roadster
• Fully matching numbers, 88^th RHD, retailed by Henlys London
• Exacting restoration by specialist Rothwell Engineering, engine by VSE
• Exquisite in original opalescent dark blue / light blue / black hood
• Concours display at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Cartier Style et Luxe

Offered in exceptional restored condition, this is one of the very earliest examples of Jaguar’s revolutionary E-Type – with all the early hallmarks including outside bonnet locks, flat floors, spot-welded bonnet louvres, and more.

Sought out by collectors, the handful of outside bonnet lock cars epitomize the E-Type in its most desirable form.  Chassis 850088 is the 88^th right-hand drive E-Type built, and one of just 91 right-hand drive outside bonnet lock roadsters produced.

Dispatched from the Browns Lane factory on 24 August 1961, 850088 was retailed by Henlys of London, in the strikingly attractive specification seen today – opalescent dark blue exterior, light blue interior (which is actually, and correctly, grey in appearance), and a black hood.

Restored in recent years by renowned specialist Jim Rothwell of Rothwell Engineering, great care and attention to detail was invested in the restoration, including attending to the range of features that distinguish the earliest E-Types. 

Of course, this is a fully matching numbers example, with the engine block, cylinder head, gearbox and body number all set out in the accompanying JDHT heritage certificate.  Beyond this, key ancillary components are all date stamped for early 1961, as expected.

As part of the restoration, the original 3.8-litre engine was rebuilt by well-known experts V.S.E., with only a very few miles covered since.

Unlike the dream cars of America, Jaguar’s engineers produced the “E” with just a handful of prototypes evolved from their Le Mans-winning C-Type and D-Type racers.  From its debut at the 1961 Geneva motor show, the E-Type stirred emotions as one of the most beautiful cars ever, capable of a genuine 150 mph in stock trim.

Suitable for any discerning collection, this OBL E-Type has appeared in the prestigious Cartier Style et Luxe display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.  She is presented in outstanding restored condition and would be welcome at an array of prestigious concours and other events.