1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster

Reporting from the March 1961 Geneva Salon, the correspondent from the UK magazine Autosport announced, “The E-Type Jaguar has made its electrifying appearance, and at one stride Britain takes the lead in the Grand Touring market of Europe.” The E-Type has earned universal praise for its design excellence, race-bred performance, and lithe bodylines that continues to captivate today.

Based upon a rigid steel monocoque passenger compartment and tail section, the E-Type was clearly descended from the D-Type sports racer that dominated Le Mans for three years straight, from 1955 through 1957. The E-Type’s independent rear suspension was the work of Jaguar engineer Bob Knight and proven on the E1A prototype and E2A sports racer campaigned at Le Mans in 1960 by Team Cunningham. An ideal two-place grand touring car, the E-Type finally broke the magical 150-mph barrier that was set by a series-production sports car.

E-Type production began with cars for the export market in March 1961, followed by domestic production commencing in July. The earlier Series I cars are particularly valuable today for their historic first-year status, stunning performance, aircraft-type interior switchgear, and pure body lines with beautiful sleekly covered headlamps. This Series I E-Type Roadster from 1963 is a particularly attractive example with its striking red finish, complemented by chrome wire-spoke wheels. This desirable example stands poised to deliver a pure early E-Type experience in its most sporting open form.