Taking what they had learned on the track with the D-type and applying it to a new road model, Jaguar’s new E-Type featured a monocoque passenger compartment and tail section, a tube-framed engine bay, and a tilting bonnet. With its well-appointed interior, civilized 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine, and a compliant suspension, the E-Type was an ideal two-seater sports car. Sweeping lines and an aggressive yet undeniably sensual stance meant the new Jaguar had looks previously seen only on Italian cars. The motoring press ate it up, and sales of the E-Type went through the roof.

According to the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate on file, chassis no. 876875 was completed on 9 March 1962 and dispatched 10 days later on 19 March to the Jaguar Cars dealership in New York before being sold through Hornburg Jaguar on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. It was first sold to A. Fuentes in San Ysidro, California. Delivered in Opalescent Silver Blue with a dark blue leather interior, the E-Type retains its original color combination, down to the blue soft top, matching hardtop, and contrasting blue piping. The first registration in the history file shows that Mr. Fuentes gave the E-Type to his daughter, Pamela, who would go on to keep the E-Type for 50 years.

Over the decades, Pamela moved around Southern California, but maintained the E-Type properly, as shown by invoices and service history dating back to 1967. Enjoyed and driven a few times a week, the odometer recorded 30,015 miles by November of 1973. However, by the 2000s, Pamela knew she was not using the E-Type to its full potential, and it was sold to Derek Simms. An incredible find, the car was virtually untouched, and retained all its original matching parts.

After a bare-metal restoration in 2014 returning everything to the original specifications, the car was sold to its current owner. Having never left California and still retaining its original black plates, with just three owners from new, including single-family ownership for over 50 years.

With an extensive history file that dates back to 1967, this 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 roadster deserves a second look.