2020-02-13 12:49:28 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 3/20
www.bonhams.com/auctions/25719/lot/141/

Auction description:
Lot 141
1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster
US$ 100,000 - 130,000
£ 77,000 - 100,000
To be sold without reserve
Chassis no. 878510

3,781cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 SU Carburetors
265bhp at 5,500rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission (see text)
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Beautiful and tastefully upgraded E Type
*Fitted with 5 Speed Tremec transmission
*Fitted with upgraded braking system.
*Attractive Opalescent gunmetal grey color scheme.
*Great car for high speed rallies such as Copperstate 1000

This particular E-Type Jaguar was purchased by its current custodian in October of 2000. At the time, it was in rather poor condition but complete. It was decided to make the car into a capable grand tourer with some upgrades and improvements. Soon, a full nut and bolt restoration began. This restoration was quite extensive and involved the car being stripped to bare metal. The original subframe was also replaced. The engine had a substantial crack and the block was not savable so that was also replaced with a correct 3.8 block. The engine was also upgraded with new pistons, lightened fly wheel, and other performance upgrades.

The braking system that is often a complaint on early 3.8-liter E-Types was converted to the later 4.2-liter specification. To further improve decelerative performance, Wilwood front brakes and larger pistons in the rear calipers were installed giving the car a braking system that is far more capable than the car possessed from new. To further the upgrade, a 5-speed Tremec transmission was fitted. In order to finish the car's sporting look, it was decided to put the car on Dunlop racing wheels.

Completing the restoration, the car was painted in Opalescent gunmetal grey. The interior was updated with the usage of Red Connolly leather, and wilton wool carpets. This appointment is usually only found on Rolls Royce, Bentley and Bristol motorcars from the 1960s. Finishing the interior, a set of 58mm Heuer rally stop watch and chronograph were also fitted.

Today, this E-Type roadster presents extremely well. The early 3.8 E-type engine is smoother and revs far more easily then the later 4.2 engine and makes it a favorite of a driving enthusiast. Along with the 5-speed transmission and upgraded braking, it is a suburb driver's car. Ready for the road and as a welcome participant on high speed drivers' events.

2021-04-28 10:30:13 | Daniel Crook writes:

There is something wrong here, the body number engine and gearbox line up with a car 1,000 numbers earlier. We own the original 878510

2021-04-29 13:52:52 | pauls writes:

Hi Dan, the body number lines up well, not the gearbox or engine number so much. That said its not an original dataplate so who knows. I know you guys have JHTs for your cars what does that say?