It could be argued that no other automobile took the automotive world by storm like Jaguar’s E-Type did when it was unveiled in 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show. Drop-dead gorgeous from all angles and boasting a top speed of 150 mph, the E-Type left little to be desired and was as much of a showroom success as it was a motor show starlet. Even Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made,” high praise indeed from a man who was intimately familiar with beautiful cars.

The year 1964 was another landmark one in the E-Type’s history, as it heralded a handful of updates to the platform. The original 3.8-liter engine was bored to 92.07 millimeters, giving the car 4.2 liters of displacement and a large increase in torque. Jaguar also introduced a new fully synchronized transmission with a new Laycock diaphragm clutch, as well as Lockheed disc brakes, more spacious seats, and other minor improvements made to help enhance the overall driving experience.

Refinished in its current color combination of Dark Blue over Beige by a previous owner, this particular fixed head coupe was fully restored prior to being acquired by a well-known Jaguar collector in 2008. Shortly after its restoration, it received not one but two First Place awards at JCNA events. Subsequent to its show career, the collector spent two years ensuring that it operates at the same standard as its aesthetics.

In 2014, the car was shipped to the Jaguar specialists at Classic Showcase of Oceanside, California, where it received an extensive engine-out service. Purchased by its current custodian thereafter, the car has remained in his collection ever since and still presents beautifully. Importantly, the car is accompanied by a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate and a binder of restoration receipts and documents chronicling recent work, as well as a set of owner’s manuals and an original tool kit.

Few cars are more iconic, beautiful, and instantly recognizable than Jaguar’s E-Type. Even over 50 years after its introduction, the E-Type still turns heads like nothing else and is considered to be one of the most desirable automobiles money can buy. The 4.2-liter fixed head coupe is a wonderful derivative of Jaguar’s most iconic automobile, combining significant improvements over the original 3.8 liter with the added practicality of the coupe body style. This particular example still presents very well and will surely please its next owner, should it be returned to JCNA concours events or enjoyed on the open road—or both!