Chassis 60 (564 DFJ) is a very rare early pre-production Jaguar E-type. It is one of the 91 ‘outside bonnet lock’ right hand drive roadsters that were hand built by Jaguar prior to full production, following the famous 1961 Geneva Motor Show when the E-type was launched. Each one of the 91 was subtly different and very few survive in their original form.

The car had been left untouched in a garage for 35 years and was bought at auction in April 2013. It was then sent to Classic Motor Cars where a 3,500 hour restoration took place over two years. Over 80% of the original body and 100% of the mechanicals were saved although the car had to be re-trimmed as the leather could not be saved. Every single part that could be saved was, even including nuts, bolts and washers which were individually cleaned and cadmium plated.

The car is in absolutely original specification, with it’s original parts, as it left the factory on 27 June 1961. There are no upgrades, not even a Kenlowe fan—it has the original twin bladed fan and remains perfectly cool in traffic.

It is probably the most original E-type, and certainly early E-type, in the world.

Car displayed from Monday 8 August to Sunday 21 August, courtesy of Club member Chris Anderson

Photography by Martyn Goddard