The antepenultimate right-hand drive 3.8-Litre Roadster
1964 Jaguar E-Type 'Series 1' 3.8-Litre Roadster
Registration no. CMO 213B
Chassis no. 850940
Engine no. RA6794-9

'If Les Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans has been responsible for the new E-Type Jaguar, then that Homeric contest on the Sarthe circuit will have been abundantly justified. Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.'

There have been few better summaries of the E-Type's manifest virtues than the forgoing, penned by the inimitable John Bolster for Autosport shortly after the car's debut. Conceived and developed as an open sports car, the Jaguar E-Type debuted at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 in Coupé form. The car caused a sensation - spontaneous applause breaking out at the unveiling - with its instantly classic lines and a 150mph top speed. The newcomer's design owed much to that of the Le Mans-winning D-Type sports-racer, a monocoque tub forming the main structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the 3.8-litre, triple-carburettor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. Its engine aside, only in terms of its transmission did the E-Type represent no significant advance over the XK150, whose durable four-speed Moss gearbox it retained.

With a claimed 265bhp available, E-Type's performance did not disappoint; firstly, because it weighed around 500lbs less than the XK150 and secondly because aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer used experience gained with the D-Type to create one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car. Taller drivers though, could find the interior somewhat lacking in space, a criticism addressed by the introduction of foot wells (and other, more minor modifications) early in 1962. Today, the E-Types graceful lines live on in modern Jaguar sports cars, and there can be little doubt that William Lyons' sublime creation would feature in any knowledgeable enthusiast's 'Top Ten' of the world's most beautiful cars of all time.

Dating from August 1964, this 'Series 1' is one of the very last right-hand drive 3.8-litre roadsters made (the final chassis produced was '850943') and was supplied new via Henlys, London finished in Sand with red leather interior. Circa 1968 the E-Type was sold by Anthony Wolfe Motors, Northolt to a Mr D G Cullen and in 1992 was bought at auction by a Mr Florin, who then had it fully restored by the Yorkshire Vintage & Classic Car Company in Leeds (all bills on file). The car was subsequently sold via Jim Nicholson, Gosport to one John Robert Wheeler, who undertook a full cosmetic restoration, returning the livery to the original Sand, which was carried out during 2012/2013. The engine had already been rebuilt by A A McInnes of Bradford in 1994, since when only some 2,000 miles have been covered. Bought by the current vendor and enjoyed last year, 'CMO 213B' has covered approximately 500 miles since its most recent restoration and is only offered for sale as the owner is seeking a more sedate classic.

Described as in generally very good condition, sporting serviceable original red leather seats, with excellent engine and chassis, the car is offered with JDHT certificate, maintenance chart, MoT/tax to February 2015, V5C registration document and a substantial history file containing extensive maintenance/restoration bills and photographic records of works carried out. A stainless steel exhaust, 4-pot brake callipers and a Kenlowe electric cooling fan are the only notified deviations from factory specification.