This matching-numbers example of Jaguar’s celebrated E-Type benefits from 50 years of ownership by a single dedicated Southwest-based caretaker, and a recent freshening by one of the nation’s foremost marque specialists. The beautiful roadster is notably one of the early examples featuring flat floors and welded louvers, which have arguably evolved into the most collectible and desirable of the Series 1 E-Types.

As confirmed by a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate, chassis no. 875534 was originally finished in black and trimmed with a beige interior and black soft top. After completing assembly in mid September 1961, the Jaguar was dispatched to the US early the following month and retailed by Peter Satori’s distributorship in Glendale, California. It was sold by Satori dealer representative Gene A. Pinckney to a successful entrepreneur Allen V.C. Davis of La Canada, California on 22 November 1961. The Jaguar retains its Manufacturer’s Warranty certificate along with Mr. Pinckney’s business card. The car was fastidiously maintained in its early ownership, as evident in the number of filled out service stamps in the book. By the mid to late 1960s Mr. Davis decided to part ways with the car.

Bruce Carpenter, who managed a business for Mr. Davis, was given the choice a cash bonus or the Jaguar. Bruce chose the Jaguar and the car would remain under his ownership until 2018. A former Marine and accomplished pilot, Mr. Carpenter affixed military and aeronautical decals throughout the car. He even gave the car a name, the “Black Mariah,” after the song “They Call the Wind Mariah.” Mr. Carpenter would go on to credit the Jaguar for impressing a special first date, which later became his wife. Under Mr. Carpenter’s ownership, the E-Type resided in a garage in the Hollywood Hills, exercised regularly with short drives through Griffith Park. Following a retirement move to Nevada in 2011, Mr. Carpenter continued the tradition of Saturday morning drives to Cars & Coffee gathering to meet with friends.

In 2018, the Jaguar was acquired by the consignor, commissioning the specialists at Jeff’s Resurrections in Taylor, Texas, to conduct over $19,000 worth of freshening measures, as illustrated by invoices on file. This work included tuning the carburetors and installing porcelain-coated headers, stainless steel lines, and a new exhaust system. The hood was refinished, and the interior was reupholstered with new beige leather, vinyl and Hardura trim, and Wilton wool carpeting. A Blaupunkt Frankfurt Z radio and new speakers were installed (wired with Bluetooth capability), and black Coco mats were added. A new black canvas top and complementary black boot were fitted, and period-correct Avon tires were mounted on the chrome wire wheels. After this work, the clutch and brake hydraulics were further addressed.

Claiming a life of meticulous care within the preservative climes of the arid Southwestern United States, this beautifully presented E-Type is accompanied by its original warranty certificate, owner’s manuals and service books with pouch, toolkit, JDHT certificate, as well as file of invoices and receipts. The roadster is currently fitted with a 15-inch mahogany Moto-Lita steering wheel, although the original factory wheel is included.

Ideal for event use and presentation at marque concours, this wonderful E-Type is a highly authentic example of the early cars with flat-floors and welded louvers, offering a fantastic addition to any sporting collection.