Beschreibung:

1964 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES I 3.8 LITRE ROADSTER Chassis No. 880597 Engine No. tba White with red leather interior and black hood Engine: straight six, twin overhead camshafts, 3,781cc, 265bhp at 5,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: independent front with double wishbones and torsion bars, rear independent by trailing and transverse links with coil spring/damper units; Brakes: four wheel disc. Left hand drive. Seldom have the lessons learned in the demanding classroom that was long-distance sports car racing in the 1950s been applied so comprehensively to a subsequent production model. Jaguar's famous run of victories in the Le Mans 24-hour GP d'Endurance with thoroughbred C and D-Type sports-racers provided the company with a priceless fund of knowledge, ready to be shrewdly exploited in their roadgoing E-Type sports model launched at the 1961 Geneva International Salon. Sir William Lyons' exquisite bodyshell, with its overtones of the D-Type, was instantly applauded. Under the shapely bonnet was an uprated edition of the twin overhead camshaft XK power unit. There was little doubt that this superbly finished, fully-equipped two-seater with 140 mph on tap was just about the fastest production car of its day, its surging performance matched by the latest in disc brakes, race-car handling and outstanding cornering power. The E-Type was an immediate and lasting success - one of the most admired designs of a brilliant time. While the new E-Type had understandably received rave reviews at the Geneva Show, the anticipation of the new cars arriving in the US was no doubt dreaded by the American manufacturers, while Jaguar Cars Inc geared up for another Public Relations coup. The New York International Auto show was held in April 1961 and to say the two models shown - roadster and fastback coupe - were the show sensations is an understatement. The Jaguar was an immediate hit. Six were sold within thirty minutes of the New York show's opening. This showing of the car was accompanied by all the pomp and circumstance Jaguar - and the auto show management - could muster, an acknowledgement of the importance of the US market to Jaguar. Owing to a lack of supply, it was some months before journalists were allowed to test the E-Type and the early testing happened in the UK. The first Road & Track road test appeared in the September 1961 issue, the Americans referring to the cars as the Jaguar XK-E. Their introduction under the header Sensational is the word for this Coventry Cat reads as follows If a new car ever created greater excitement around our office than the new Jaguar XK-E, we can't remember it. And to sum up this car in the third sentence of a report may be unusual for us, but it is easy to do. "The car comes up to, and exceeds, all our great expectations." By 1963, one third of Jaguar's cars were being sold to American customers. The E-type is also one of the few cars that has reached the status of owning spots in both the Smithsonian Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This 1964 matching numbers Series I Roadster is presented in first class order: a few years ago this California black plate Jaguar underwent a meticulous nut and bolt rebuild to concours standards. Before restoration the owner stated this was a genuine 59,000 mile car. The work was undertaken by the renowned Jaguar restorers, Images Auto Body of Campbell, CA. In JCNA judging this remarkable restoration was awarded 99.97 points out of 100. It is painted in old english white paintwork with a red leather trimmed cabin and bucket seats and a black hood. The panel fit and shutlines are all excellent. Chrome wire wheels and red line radials complement the appearance. We thoroughly recommend close inspection of this superb E-Type. WITHOUT RESERVE