1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Flat Floor - Matching Numbers

Highlights

• Desirable early Series 1 "Flat Floor" FHC

• Full matching numbers, Jaguar Heritage certified

• 3.8-litre straight-six, manual transmission

• 61,651 miles on the clock

• 1 of 1,798 examples built in RHD

Overview

Long revered as the most beautiful car ever made, the E-Type is one of the most sought after and collectible automobiles in the world. Naturally, laying your hands on a pristine example of a Series 1 car (the one everyone wants), is not only very tricky, but potentially financially ruinous.

And once you’ve sourced a pristine, concours condition car, what are you supposed to do with it? You can’t use it in anything except glorious, dry weather and you can only add a few miles a year to it - lest you inadvertently wipe away most of its value.

However, here at Pistonheads, we believe that cars are for driving, not just for staring at as they sit in an air-conditioned cocoon. So, if we were going to buy an early series 1 E-Type, we’d want a nice, clean, solid example that had a few miles on it, maybe even a matching numbers car. One that confidently wore some charming patination, so we wouldn’t be blinded by panic if that Sunday drive took a slight detour and we got caught in a rain shower. We’d want a gorgeous classic that we could actually enjoy, and that carried its history proudly. 

In short, we’d want this car. A Fixed-Head Coupe is, in our opinion, the one to have as it offers plenty of space and practicality for long weekends away, but retains that beautifully iconic silhouette. That 3.8-litre straight-six is a peach of a powerplant, and combined with the 4-speed manual offers plenty of power and torque for keeping pace with modern traffic. Not to mention the fact that it sounds absolutely incredible, whether it’s burbling at idle or building to an uproarious crescendo.

This example is a rare matching numbers ‘flat floor’ car, certified by Jaguar Heritage, with even the body number being correct. It’s clearly been kept well, being in good mechanical order, benefitting from solid bodywork and what appears to be a largely original interior.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect base for a full restoration, or simply want to enjoy one of motoring’s true legends, wearing its years with grace and panache, this pretty coupe is ideal. 

History and documentation

• First registered 1 June 1962

• Current owner c.10 years, no previous UK owners indicated

• Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate

• Full matching numbers (body, engine, chassis)

• Originally sold from Daytona Sales in Kingston, Jamaica

• 61,651 miles on the clock (5-figure odometer)

• 1 of 1,798 examples built in RHD, from the first half of the production run

• Rare ‘flat floor’ Series 1 car

• Historic vehicle status (VED and MOT exempt)

• Two keys

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Beige upholstery appears to be in decent condition, appearing to have been retrimmed at some point in the car’s history

• Padded black vinyl upper dashboard

• The rest of the interior looks to be largely original

• Classic three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel

• All of the switchgear and instruments appear to be original but not all are working

• There is an attractive level of patination consistent with the vehicle’s age and indicated mileage

• The interior sills would benefit from retrimming

• Beige carpets throughout, which are quite heavily stained and marked

• The luggage space at the rear is excellent, and the boot floor looks to be straight, solid and free from damage

Exterior

• Originally finished in Opalescent Gunmetal (the same colour as the very first E-Type)

• At some point in its history, the car has been resprayed in red

• The paintwork is in reasonable condition, with some minor swirls and chips, as well as some micro-blistering in places

• The bodywork looks to be clean, straight and solid, the E-Type’s curvaceous lines being very well represented

• All of the exterior brightwork and badging appears to be present and correct, with some light pitting and patination adding to the vehicle’s authentic character

• The vendor notes that the near-side indicator will be replaced for a correct unit prior to sale

• Upswept twin-pipe centre-exit exhaust system

• Underneath, the car looks to be very clean and straight – the sills and floor pans look to be undamaged and very solid, and it appears as if everything has been kept in very fine condition and treated well

• There is a little corrosion showing on the rear section of the exhaust system and some of the suspension components

• Period-correct 15-inch ‘knock off’ wire wheels, wearing their proper chrome finish and looking to be in good order

• The tyres are quite old and cracked

Mechanical

• 3.8-litre straight-six with triple SU carburettors

• Factory performance figures: 265bhp, 260lb-ft, 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph

• 4-speed manual transmission (Moss Box)

• Rear-wheel drive

• Fully independent suspension all round

• Brake discs all round (rears inboard)

• We are informed by the vendor that the wiring isn’t in perfect condition, and that the car would benefit from a new harness

• We are also informed that although the heater box is new it is missing the matrix as well as the under bonnet heater transfer pipes

• The water pump is quite noisy at the moment, but we’re assured that this will be rebuilt before the sale

• We’re assured that the car starts and drives, and it sounds absolutely fantastic

Summary

Few cars are as iconic as the E-Type. And as a way to traverse in style and comfort while indulging in pure driving pleasure, surely there’s nothing better than a Series 1 Fixed-Head Coupe?

This early, matching numbers car is presented in good overall condition. Whether you’re looking to restore it to factory specification, or enjoy it as it is, it’s sure to offer its new owner years of motoring pleasure and a wealth of adventures. This is a solid example of one of the greatest cars ever made – one that’s increasingly rare to find in original, matching numbers condition – make sure you don’t let it slip through your fingers.

The seller strongly encourages potential buyers to inspect the vehicle before bidding

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Kent.