Sir William Lyons was no doubt proud of his company’s newest creation when the E-Type stunned the crowds at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. Jaguar had once again proven to the world that it could build an incredible performance car and clothe it in a gorgeous body. Sales reflected the public’s enormous interest in the car, and new models simply flew off dealers’ lots once they entered production.

The E-Type was developed as the replacement to Jaguar’s XK 120-150 series of sports cars, and it was developed using lessons learned from that series of cars, as well as the iconic D-Type. The E-Type was powered by Jaguar’s venerable 3.8-liter straight six-cylinder engine, which first saw action in the XK150S, resulting in horsepower being a respectable 265 and a top speed of 150 mph. One important new mechanical feature was the addition of an independent rear suspension that expertly mixed precise handling, comfort, and grip. The design of the suspension proved to be so good that it remained in various Jaguar models for over 25 years. Priced at $2,464 for the roadster and $2,520 for its coupe sibling, the E-Type was considered to be a screaming deal for the amount of performance and dazzling good looks that the car offered.

According to its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this 1966 E-Type Roadster was built in January 1962 and was delivered new to a C.L. Hughes, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The car has remained in the state of Pennsylvania for its entire life. Earlier this year, the current owner acquired it from a gentleman who owned and carefully maintained the car for over 20 years. The car received a repaint a couple of years ago in its original color of Opalescent Dark Blue over its original dark blue leather interior. Finished as such, this E-Type has a subtle yet gorgeous beauty to it, and it looks just as good sitting still as it does on the open road. This car drives well and is in exemplary mechanical condition, and it is ready for action, as it is equipped with four new tires and very sporting Dunlop-type steel wheels.