• Judged to be without deductions, by 4 of the most critical of Jaguar authorities, in November, 2015. Their scoring sheets will accompany the car.
• Restored by Classic Showcase, in California, who restored the 1967 E-Type, “Black Beauty”, that sold for $467,500 at Sotheby’s 2013 Art of the Automobile Auction, in NYC.
• Earliest first-generation, outside-bonnet-latch, welded-louver, flat-floor model, the rarest of all the production E-Types
• #323 of only 385 LHD outside-bonnet-latch roadsters, out of a total of 500 OBL examples

Manufactured on August 14th, 1961, this Open Two-Seater, the 323rd E-Type Roadster built, was destined for the US market, and delivered to the Northeast. In 1971, 875323 was acquired for $1,100 as an 18th birthday present for Jon Lenchner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a college student on a budget, Jon carried out basic maintenance as usual, along with a repaint of the exterior and reupholstered seats. While Jon was away in college in Florida, his parents sold the car in 1975 for $750 to another Keystone State resident. The Jag seems to have remained in Pennsylvania, as in 1994, it was acquired by an Erie, Pennsylvania collector who would keep the car for a subsequent score of years. It was then sold, through Geoffrey Reis, Jag Connection, to Classic Showcase. It was last listed for sale at Bonham’s 2015 Amelia Island Auction and did not meet its reserve, which reflected the fact that it was repainted and re-upholstered –and little else-- in the early 70’s. This extraordinary, first-generation, outside-bonnet-latch E-Type, has recently had a very correct and proper ground-up restoration completed to the highest standards of Concours-level authenticity, by Classic Showcase in California, the same company that restored the 1967 E-Type known as “Black Beauty” which was sold for $467,500 at Sotheby’s 2013 NY Auction, Art of the Automobile. First-generation examples are the rarest, most sought-after of the E-Types, and rarely come to market. Chassis 875323 has the ultra-rare features characteristic of this earliest version of the model, such as flat floors, welded louvers, outside bonnet latches, and more, with every detail correct and confirmed by information presented by the most authoritative Jaguar historians and JCNA rules.

The car’s entire restoration process was completely documented. It was totally disassembled: the body stripped to bare metal, placed on a rotisserie, body-worked, metal-finished, and leaded as needed. All body parts and chrome were test-fitted to the E-Type while it was in bare metal. The body was primed, sealed, and painted with multiple coats of base and clear. Finally, it was color-sanded and buffed to a superb finish. All systems and components, from front to rear, were restored or replaced. The engine, differential, transmission, clutch, and electrical, brake, and fuel systems were fully restored, rebuilt, or replaced. All rubber parts on the car are now new, including the outstanding wide-whitewall tires, the same as the ones on the cars shown in the 1961 New York and Paris Auto shows (please see photos). In addition, the chrome has been re-plated to show-level quality. It has all new upholstery in the correct material, which has been fitted and installed by master upholsterers. The roadster's parts have all been restored in the proper colors and finishes, with NOS parts being used wherever possible. Because of the importance of this early, highly original E-Type, extreme attention to detail was paid during its restoration and in documenting the process, to the extent that every bolt, bracket, and even hose clamp is the original, correct version. These details, along with correct Butler license lights, voltage regulator, generator, starter, Dunlop master cylinders, sealed-beams, etc., all contribute to this Jaguar just having been assessed as without deductions, through minute photo inspection, by multiple Judges, of all the details evaluated in Concours judging.

A comprehensive DVD of the restoration, as well as its Jaguar Heritage Certificate, and the Judges’ official scoring sheets, accompanies 875323. To complete the car’s allure, in the trunk are the original Shelley jack, Thor hammer, owner’s manual in its original pouch, and, while not original to the car, a very correct tool kit in its roll.

(Please note: One viewer raised a question about the presence of components for the later, inside-type bonnet latches on the tub of 875323, since its chassis number and other details prove that it is an outside-latch car. The answer is well-known; Jaguar regularly improved their models’ features and phased in the new parts gradually, so that there were overlaps between the preceding and succeeding parts. (for example, holes to accommodate inside bonnet latches are seen on a few OBL cars) This happened when they prepared for the advent of inside latches, before they had used up all the bonnets with the outside latches. This is established in the bible of E-Type restoration, “Jaguar E-Type 6 and 12 Cylinder Restoration Guide”, by Dr. Thomas F. Haddock, page 77, Paragraphs 1 to 4.)

At the Geneva Auto Show in 1961, Jaguar introduced its legendary sports car, the E-Type.

It offered performance to match its stupendous looks, featuring a 3.8-liter version of the venerable and race-proven XK engine and other important technical features. The DOHC, straight-six produced 265 horsepower, which was delivered to the rear wheels through a 4-speed transmission, and brought this car to a top speed of 150 miles per hour. The E-Type also benefitted from fully-independent rear suspension and disc brakes at all four corners, with the rear brakes mounted inboard, an innovative position derived from experience on the track.

In the words of the NY Museum of Modern Art, “The body’s subtle, swelling curves and depressions reflect carefully calculated geometries based on the ellipse. The most prominent feature—the long, projecting hood—is modeled with a distinctive ‘power bulge’ that runs down the hood’s center to accommodate the powerful engine. Louvered air-intake panels penetrate the otherwise smooth surface. The hood curves down to a grille-less nose that sucks in air to cool the engine. The gently swelling fenders terminate in glass cowl headlights that are seamlessly encapsulated into the body. The view of the car’s contours is as compelling to the driver as to the passerby.”

• Extremely well-restored car, officially judged to be 100 points on 11/7/2015.
• The anomalies in the vehicle numbers are very common in Jaguars built in the 1950’s and 1960’s, as their production procedures were casual. The plant was told to turn out the cars as fast as possible, to bring in US dollars to the War-stricken British economy. They were not controlling anything with an eye to making collector cars. William Lyons, the Founder of Jaguar, was knighted for the company’s crucial role in rescuing England from financial distress.
• Already exceedingly rare, this car’s highest rating of 100 points makes it one of the most valuable E-Types in the world.
• It is extremely unlikely that one will ever see another OBL E-type in this color combination, restored to this level of perfection, and with this much attention to detail.
• The following numbers and colors are verified as original by its Jaguar Factory Heritage Trust Certificate, which accompanies the car:
• VIN - #875323
• Body - #R1450/R1438 (Note: As was common on the Jaguar assembly line, this body got out of order with its tag, and they differ slightly. Reference the letter from the Director of Jaguar Archives, Mr. Mike Cook.)
• Engine - #R1462-9 Note: the head is the correct and original one.
• The block is a correct, 1961-casting, 3.8 litre E-Type, factory, unstamped replacement.

The striking, original color combination magnifies the swells and shallows of the body and enhances its sculptural beauty. This first-generation E-Type will cause a sensation at every Concours event that it graces, anywhere in the globe, and probably earn its new owner a 100-point score and First Place. And, this cat’s purr will enchant you every time you start the engine.

- Geoffrey H. Reis, Jaguar Consultant and Restorer, Jag Connection, Inc