After Jaguar’s utter dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans throughout the 1950s, the engineers at Coventry were tasked with developing a production version of their champion racecars. The new car would borrow heavily from the venerated D-Type, winner of Le Mans a stunning three consecutive times from 1955–1957.

The engineers would also keep the D-Type’s monocoque construction. Revolutionary in its day, the aeronautically inspired design consisted of a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension, and steering assembly 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. Rear suspension was now fully independent, using jointed axles as upper links and tubular lower links, with twin coil springs and shocks on each side.

Manufactured 24 March 1964, this car was reportedly sold new to First Lieutenant M. Burke of San Francico, California. Possibly looking to enjoy his new vehicle on the roads of Europe, Lt. Burke arraigned to take delivery of the Jaguar at the factory and would personally export the vehicle to its ultimate home in the United States. Nicely specified, the roadster was finished as new in Opalescent Silver Grey paint over a Red leather interior, just as it appears today.

As confirmed by an accompanying copy of its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, the car retains its numbers-matching 3.8-liter engine and cylinder head. In the 2010s, the Jaguar received a comprehensive restoration carried out by noted Jaguar specialist, Richard Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia. Images Auto Body in California supplied additional work and throughout the course of the project, as the Jaguar was completely stripped down to bare metal and reassembled to superlative condition.

A stunning Series 1 E-Type is a hallmark of any serious collection and this early, open-two-seat example, with its numbers-matching engine and cylinder head and striking factory-correct livery, presents an enticing opportunity.