Introduced in 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type’s striking presence dazzled crowds and upended the automotive world. The British car was handsomely designed by a team led by the imaginative Malcom Sayer with the blessing of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons.

The Series 1—arguably the most iconic and valuable of the E-Types—was available for export in March 1961. The car was refined over the years, and in 1965 it received a robust triple SU carbureted 4.2-liter six-cylinder engine yielding 265 hp and a top speed of 150 mph. The 4.2-liter engine offered the same horsepower as the earlier 3.8, but torque was increased for better control. Other changes included a full synchromesh gearbox and new brake booster.

The E-Type is still drawing admirers. A genuine head-turner, the E-Type thrives on its legendary reputation for sporting performance (it was based on Jaguar’s D-Type Le Mans racer) and ageless design. The 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster offered here manifests those qualities.

This stylish roadster was delivered new to Bernard G. Cinders in Los Angeles and subsequently found its way to Clifford Thompson in Hesperia, California. In 2017, the car was purchased by its current owner, a Jaguar marque specialist who is also a hands-on restorer. It was transported to the owner’s shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a total refurbishment. At that time, the car was in relatively good condition with a rust-free body but required some care to bring it to concours level. The owner disassembled the E-Type and performed a meticulous bumper-to-bumper inspection of the car. All the mechanicals were examined; components were then reconstructed, refinished, or replaced with new parts as necessary.

The engine was rebuilt with new pistons, reground crankshaft, new timing chains, and oil pump, and was then dynamically balanced for smooth operation. The transmission was rebuilt using new bearings, synchro rings, and layshaft, while the differential was likewise fully rebuilt using new bearings and changing the gear ratio to 3.07:1 to utilize the 4.2-liter’s impressive torque. The braking system is all-new from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders, and a stainless-steel exhaust system was installed. The suspension, hydraulic, and electrical systems were brought to “like-new” condition. Numerous other enhancements were made, and the owner states the car is in excellent running order.

The work did not stop there. The body was sandblasted and finished in highly attractive Opalescent Dark Blue finish. The chrome, brightwork, wire wheels, and knock-off hubcaps gleam. All the glass is new, as is the dark blue fitted convertible top. The passenger cabin has also been reinvigorated. The factory color scheme continues with new oxblood leather seats and color-coordinated carpeting. A Jaguar tool kit, jack, and spare tire are secured in the trunk.

The restoration was completed within the last 12 months and only 50 miles have been put on the odometer since. A service manual and restoration documents accompany the car as does a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. This is a special E-Type: a pristine roadster whose next owner will take possession of a classic automotive treasure, one that electrified the world when new, and continues to do so today.