Turning the automotive industry on its head upon its introduction in 1961, Jaguar’s E-Type was nothing short of the most spectacular car the world had seen in the post-war era. Even Enzo Ferrari declared the E-type ‘the most beautiful car in the world’ as Jaguar proved yet again that it was one of the world’s top manufacturers of sports cars. What was perhaps more impressive was the E-Type’s performance. It boasted a 0–60 mph time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.

Built in June of 1961 as a very early, outside bonnet-latch E-Type roadster, chassis no. 875101 was finished in Opalescent Bronze with a Suede Green interior. The car was allegedly delivered new to California via Jaguar Cars in New York, having been dispatched on 22 June 1961 as per its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. It remained there and was used regularly on the road roughly the first decade of its life before the original engine threw a rod, leading to the car being taken off the road. At that time, the car was disassembled for restoration, which would never come about.

The E-Type remained off the road for roughly the next five decades before it was purchased by its current owner as a restoration project and imported to Germany. Said to be a rust-free example when purchased by the consignor, it was the perfect candidate for a restoration. Sent to a marque specialist in Göttingen, Germany, the restoration took just over two years and utilised original parts wherever possible. It is impressively documented with hundreds of pictures and accompanied by invoices accounting for the work done. The original cylinder head and transmission were retained, and a 3.8-litre engine block dated February of 1961 was sourced and re-stamped to match the original head. Brought back to its original Opalescent Bronze over Suede Green, the car presents wonderfully throughout as a very early example of Jaguar’s most iconic car.

Beautifully restored to its seldom-seen and eye-catching colour scheme, this is an E-Type not to be missed.