In the wake of Jaguar’s unrivaled supremacy at the 24 Hours of Le Mans throughout the fifties, the engineers at Coventry were tasked with crafting a production version of their victorious racecars. The outcome was a new model that elegantly drew upon the revered D-Type, a racing legend that secured an extraordinary three consecutive wins at Le Mans from 1955 to 1957.

The engineers preserved the D-Type’s pioneering monocoque construction, a design that was revolutionary in its era. Inspired by aeronautical engineering, this innovative structure featured a front subframe that supported the engine, front suspension, and steering assembly, all bolted directly to the body tub. This new design not only significantly lightened the car, but also lowered its center of gravity for excellent cornering. The rear suspension was fully independent, using jointed axles as upper links and tubular lower links, with twin coil springs and shocks on each side.

Completed on 19 August 1963, this E-Type Roadster left the factory finished in the stunning combination of Opalescent Golden Sand over Light Tan trim with a black soft-top. Bound for sale in the United States, the Roadster was dispatched on 8 October 1963 for distribution via Jaguar Cars of New York. While the intervening years of this car’s history are not well known, it did receive a restoration sometime in the 2000s, in which it was stripped to bare metal and finished in its current Primrose Yellow over red leather scheme. The engine cylinder head, which bears numbers that match the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate on file, was also rebuilt at this time and paired with a synchromesh four-speed gearbox.

Significantly, the E-Type appeared in Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah hill during the famous, “is that your car on the lot” scene. Since its initial film appearance, the car was additionally used in a number of commercials and photo shoots. A document from Picture Cars East, the Brooklyn, New York company that supplied the car for its shoots, is on file confirming these details.

A star of the automotive world in its own right, this Series 1 E-Type advances the pedigree further thanks to genuine film industry history with its appearance alongside A-list celebrities in a celebrated Hollywood movie. As such, it will appeal not only to Jaguar enthusiasts but also film buffs and remain as captivating to drive as it is a conversation piece.