Pair of rarest E-Type Jaguars could fetch £2.6 million

A car collector paid just £1 back in 2000 for the 150mph, 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe which is one of only four of its type ever built back in 1961.

The stunning original right-hand-drive production Jaguar E-Type Series is now set to fetch a staggering £1,000,000-£1,400,000 at auction on September 1.

The iconic motor will be sold alongside the first E-Type Jaguar ever manufactured 62 years ago, also purchased by the same collector.

1961 E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe chassis number one, estimate £1,000,000-£1,400,000. Image: SWNS

The unnamed petrol-head has spent years amassing one of the best Jaguar collections in the world including two of the 'UK’s automotive Crown Jewels'.

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The North Wales car enthusiast said he painstakingly restored the £1 vehicle after purchasing it at the bargain price 23 years ago.

Interior of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type SI 38L. Image: SWNS

He said: “As well as being the first right-hand-drive outside bonnet coupé to be built, this Jaguar is the only surviving chassis number one E-Type of its kind.

"It cost me £1 in 2000 but l had to restore it together with 9600 HP as part of the deal, 9600 HP being the oldest E-Type in existence.

“Goodness knows how many famous people have sat in 1VHP as it was initially used as demonstrator model in London for six months.

"It’s beautiful, drives brilliantly and it’s the first. It can’t get any better than that. There is only one number one.”

The 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 3.8-litre Roadster is the first production E-Type ever manufactured and could fetch between £900,000-£1,200,000.

Its first owner was Frank Raymond Wilton ‘Lofty’ England, Jaguar’s legendary racing team manager.

Lofty, a man who oversaw five Le Mans victories, allocated the earliest E-Types to their first owners and chose one for himself.

1961 Jaguar E-Type SI 3.8L Roadster. Image: SWNS

Legendary Formula 1 champion Graham Hill was also photographed sitting on the car in April 1961 wearing his laurels after taking first place at a race meeting.

The owner added: “Driving an E-Type is always good fun but to be able to own two incredibly important cars just amplifies that pleasure.

"Over three decades I built up arguably one of the best Jaguar collections in the world.

"It included the first works D-Type the last XKSS built, the Lindner Nocker Lightweight and the Ecurie Ecosse C-Type, the last SS 3.5 built.

“1VHP and 1600RW, two incredibly important cars, sat happily amongst this illustrious group.

"Both were restored to totally original condition by the award-winning teams at Classic Motor Cars in England. Neither cars are trailer queens.

"They have been used on a regular basis for many important events.

“It has been a privilege to own them and I hope they continue to give as much pleasure to the new owners as they have to me and my family over the last 20 years.”

Graham Hill Oulton Park April 15th 1961 sitting on the Jaguar set for auction. Image: SWNS

Charlie Ross, of Bargain Hunt fame, who will lead the sale at Gooding & Company auctioneers, said: “Enzo Ferrari has been quoted as saying the Jaguar E-type is ‘the most beautiful car in the world’.

"This pair started the obsession and the auction really does afford an opportunity for someone to purchase two of the UK’s automotive Crown Jewels.”

Regarded as a motoring masterpiece, the ground-breaking E-Type was conceived by co-founder of Jaguar Cars Sir William Lyons, known as Mr Jaguar.

Essentially a road-going version of Jaguar’s Le Mans-dominating D-Type, the E-Type was accessible to just about any level of driver.

Lyons approved the addition of a coupe body for the E-Type, and this was chosen as the debut car for the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1961.

The E-Type won immediate recognition as star of the show.

Though Lyons led Jaguar’s success, Middlesex-born Lofty England (1911-1995) played a hugely important role.

He was probably second only to Lyons in determining the corporate direction and public image of Jaguar Cars.

Lofty, who gained his nickname due to his 6ft 5in height, became service manager at Coventry’s Jaguar Cars in 1946.

1600 RW Oulton Park April 15th 1961. Image: SWNS

The Jaguars are among a selection of the world’s rarest and most historically important British classic cars – worth more than £5 million – in the auction.

Other offerings include a one-of-a-kind 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 ‘Indiana’ Spider, valued at £1,200,000 – £1,800,000.

Collectors can also bid on a 1931 Bentley Eight Litre Folding Head Coupé, £825,000-£1,250,000, one of only 100 ever built.

A 1937 Alvis Tourer, £275,000-£350,000, a 1936 Bentley 3 1/2 Litre, £150,000-£200,000, and a 1934 Bentley 3 1/2 Litre, £90,000-£130,000 are also up for sale.

Gooding & Company president and founder David Gooding said: “September’s sale is gearing up to be a celebration of British automotive history at its best.

"It will provide an opportunity to own some of the most important vehicles the UK has ever produced.”