2011-04-23 01:53:21 | Terry Mcgrath writes:

was owned by P.A. Decruyenaere in 1978

2015-08-29 19:59:34 | Anonymous writes:

Preview lot
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster
Chassis no. 875353 Engine no. R 1507-8
€190,000 - 260,000
£140,000 - 190,000

Auction 22726:
The Zoute Sale

9 Oct 2015 18:00 CEST

Knokke-Heist, Place Albert de Knokke Le Zoute

2015-09-19 23:04:27 | pauls writes:

Additional information for above auction.
This left-hand drive 'flat floor' roadster was sold new by the Belgian Motor Company in Brussels on 30th August 1961 to its first owner, Mr Ado Blaton, father-in-law of Le Mans-winning racing driver Jacky Ickx. The Blaton family has always been dedicated motoring enthusiasts and connoisseurs of great cars. This is definitely one of them. The accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirms matching chassis and engine numbers and states that the original colour scheme was Opalescent Silver Grey with red interior and black hood.

'875353' is one of the very few of these early E-Types delivered new in Belgium and is believed never to have left the country. It is also one of the very last examples built with the original external bonnet latch. Currently in the hands of its fourth owner, the car has enjoyed long term private ownership and comes with full Belgian history.

After it belonged to Ado Blaton the car passed into the ownership of Mr Willy Swaelens, who was the secretary of the Belgian Jaguar Drivers' Club. Called up for service in the army in 1976 he decided to sell the car, which passed to the next enthusiastic owner who kept it in West Flanders for another 35 years.

Mechanically updated at the beginning of the 1980s by Garage Leon Crop in Brussels, this E-Type participated in the 'Rally Coupe des Alpes' in 1988 where on a 'Course de Côte' special stage it set the fastest time, beating the E-Type of many-times French Rally Champion and Tour de France winner, Bernard Consten. Mr Christian Piette, a personal friend of the then owner who has known this car since the 1970s, has confirmed this to Bonhams.

After some 35 years with its third custodian, the car changed hands again, passing to the current (fourth) Belgian owner in March 2011. By this time the E-Type was clearly in need of renovation, and an extensive restoration was duly undertaken in 2012. Works carried out include a full body restoration; repaint in Gunmetal Grey; complete interior re-trim; and a full overhaul of the engine and mechanicals. The rebuild consumed over 1,000 man-hours. Upgrades include improved brakes, electronic ignition and a more attractive Burgundy soft-top that matches the interior better than the black original. More recently, in June 2015, the engine was serviced by L'Atelier des Coteaux at a cost of €8,400.

The current owner has much enjoyed his E-Type's consummate touring capabilities, driving it to the South of France and on many other trips. In total, some 10,000 pleasurable kilometres have been covered since the restoration. The car is offered with Belgian registration papers, restoration photographs, the aforementioned Jaguar Heritage Certificate and its original Philips radio, which has now been restored. With its full Belgian history from new, wonderful restored condition and stunning colour scheme, '875353' has to be one of the very best of these desirable 'flat floor' E-Types currently available.

2015-09-22 18:50:00 | Stefan writes:

Ahhhhhh, guys, you have seen the stamping on the picture frame???

The number shows 875553 NOT 875353.....

What is this about? Is it a sham?

2015-11-08 05:11:13 | pauls writes:

Stefan,
Would not think so, the data plate and JDHT agree. The picture frame stamping doesn't look quite right, perhaps it was replaced... or possibly an error but in any case all else agrees. Worth an investigation tho.

URL for the auction:
www.bonhams.com/auctions/22726/lot/8/
Sold for €276,867 (US$ 300,789) inc. premium

2015-11-09 12:47:22 | Stefan writes:

Hi there,

I have not seen the data plate, thinking that you refer to the VIN plate, right? But the stamping in the picture frame is clearly not a "3" in the 4th place of the number. Exchange of picture frame with the one from 553 - why and how coincidentially.
I am not saying that this is not 353 but the picture frame is strange.....

THX

Stefan

2015-11-09 12:51:23 | Stefan writes:

Maybe a stamping error at the factory? There have been some mess with body number plate and VIN plate - why not with picture frame as well?

2015-11-11 09:13:12 | Anonymous writes:

To my eyes, looking at the shape of the 5s and the one 3, the 5 in question looks to me like a 3 modified to make 5. The two shapes are subtly different, and that 5 looks odd, but could be easily imagined as another 3. Maybe it wasn't fully legible and was thought to be 5 so stamped to make legible but in error?

2015-11-12 18:33:58 | doc writes:

Have dealt with restamped corvette engines in the past...this stamping is definitely suspicious...

2015-11-13 07:37:38 | Stefan writes:

@Anonymous:

You are right. When you closely on the one number, the curve seems to be longer than on the "5s" as with the other 3. And it in deed looks like, that someone modified the 3 to become a 5 suspecting to be able to see that someone "filled" the diagonal line of the three. But this can only be proved by doing a close inspection of the number.
It would be very interesting to do a bit of scratching and careful removal of paint and dirt. I now reckon as well that a 3 could be unveiled...

The VIN however looks totally original. And in my humble opinion, one of the nicest and most important facts of an early car is a well patinated but original VIN plate. It must not be scruffy but should show the age of over 50 years. As soon as a replicated "new" VIN plate is installed, the car in my eyes loses value. It comes before matching numbers and an original picture frame....

The remaining question, why someone should have done this?! Well, I met one guy who once bought a Series 2 FHC E-Type, which was modified from a Series 1 FHC. In the past a lot of cars were modified to become more modern and more reliable. E.g. outside bonnet latch cars where possible received inside look bonnets, better dynamos were installed, better seats, better gear boxes, later register dates and much more.

Thanks!

2015-11-15 02:13:14 | pauls writes:

Stefan, yes the VIN plate.

Regarding the picture frame there are several vendors who supply replacement picture frames that will stamp them. I have not seen one of those but suspect the stamp is close but not identical with the original. These are reputable vendors, not in the business of swapping numbers but replacing original numbers with proof of identity. As Stefan says replacement stampings are nearly always immediately recognizable. To my eye none of those digits look exactly like originals, my guess is its a replacement picture frame but no way to know from the photos.