‘Here we have one of the quietest and most flexible cars on the market, capable of whispering along in top gear at 10mph or leaping into its 150mph stride on the brief depression of a pedal. A practical touring car, this, with its wide doors and capacious luggage space, yet it has a sheer beauty of line which easily beats the Italians at their own particular game.’
There have been few better summaries of the Jaguar E-Type’s manifest virtues than John Bolster’s, penned for Autosport shortly after the car’s debut in 1961. Introduced in 3.8-litre form, the E-Type caused a sensation when it appeared, with instantly classic lines and 150mph top speed. The newcomer’s design owed much to that of the racing D-Type: a monocoque tub forming the main structure, while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the same 3.8-litre, triple-carburettor ‘S’ unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. An optimistic 265bhp was claimed, but whatever the installed horsepower, the E-Type’s performance did not disappoint; firstly, because it weighed around 500lb (227kg) less than the XK150 and secondly because aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer used experience gained with the D-Type to create one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a motor car. Taller drivers though, could find the interior somewhat lacking in space, a criticism addressed by the introduction of foot wells (and other, more minor, modifications) early in 1962. But of all the versions of Jaguar’s long-lived and much-loved sports car, it is the very early ‘flat floor’ 3.8-litre cars built prior to February 1962 which, for many enthusiasts, remain the most desirable.
One of some 400 right-hand drive ‘flat floor’ roadsters made, of which around 170 are estimated still to exist, this example was manufactured on 19th September 1961. Retailed via Henlys, it was sold new by Weybridge Automobiles of Surrey to G Wolsey & Co Ltd. The accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate records the original colour scheme as Opalescent Dark Blue with light blue interior trim and blue soft-top.’525 WPA’ remains in outstandingly original, un-restored condition, retaining all the rare fittings – many now unobtainable – that characterise these early E-Types. Noeworthy features include the original aluminium radiator; original bonnet; 1961 date-stamped electrical components; 1961 date tagged hydraulic components; original tool kit (unused); and the original jack (broken). A stainless steel exhaust system, brass expansion tank, and chromed wire wheels are the only notified deviations from factory specification.The car comes with extensive documented history from new and has enjoyed three owners since Messrs Wolsey & Co: G D Spratt (1963-76), T P Frost (1976-81), and the current vendor from 1981 (advertisement and sales invoice on file). The engine is a replacement unit, fitted in 1968 at 42,000 miles by Rowland Weller of Cobham during Mr Spratt’s ownership (see letter on file). This engine (number ‘RA 75461-9’, block date stamp 21/8/64) would appear to have been a new unit when fitted, left over at the end of ‘3.8’ production. During the 36 years of the vendor’s ownership, the E-Type has been in continuous, albeit very light, use and has never been driven in anything but dry weather. There are 36 MoT certificates on file relating to the vendor’s period of ownership. Engine oil pressure is reported as very good: 50psi at 3,000rpm; 30-40psi at idle.
