One to Buy: 14k mile 1962 Jaguar E-type 3.8 Series 1 FHC
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Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the Jaguar E-type redefined what could be expected from a car priced at such a lot less than an Aston Martin, Ferrari or Maserati.
In addition to having been arguably the most beautiful sports car ever designed, the E-type offered an advanced monocoque construction with fully independent suspension and disc brakes all round. Many of the lessons for its state-of-art configuration had been learnt from the similarly constructed D-type which scored a hat-trick of Le Mans 24 Hours victories in 1955, 1956 and 1957.
Needless to say, the E-type was in high demand right from the off as customers scrambled to get their hands on what was the hottest property in the automotive market.
One lucky purchaser to have got a relatively early car was John Pope of North Caulfield, Victoria, whose Carmen Red over Biscuit Fixed-Head Coupe was supplied by Bryson’s of Melbourne in November 1962.
Since then, the red E-type has spent time in the care of a further three owners (“some of Australia’s leading engineers and barristers”).
Today it is offered in completely original, unrestored condition and a documented history back to 1962.
With just 14,316 miles on the odometer, it remains a rarely seen timewarp example of Jaguar’s prettiest XKE.
