Description:

Background –

Right from the moment deliveries commenced in 1961, the E-Type began to find its way on to the world’s racetracks. In the Grand Touring class for production sports cars the E-Type proved competitive right from the start, Graham Hill celebrating the model’s racing debut by winning at Oulton Park on 3rd April 1961. The elevation of the GT class to Manufacturers’ Championship status for 1963 prompted Jaguar to develop a small batch of very special lightweight cars to challenge Ferrari. The FIA’s regulations for the Gran Turismo category stipulated that a minimum of 100 cars had to be built, but permitted coachwork modifications, thus enabling Jaguar to claim that its lightweights were standard E-types fitted with altered bodywork. (This is the same loophole exploited by Ferrari to get the limited edition 250 GTO homologated, by claiming that they were re-bodied 250 GTs). In fact, all 12 lightweight E-Types constructed in period were built from scratch with aluminium bodies, though they were invoiced as a new standard road car with additional modifications and numbered in the normal production sequence, albeit with an ‘S’ chassis number prefix!

Chassis 850487 –

Based on a UK-market, RHD roadster that was supplied new on the 10th April 1962, this ‘Low Drag’ Competition Coupé was built to a very high specification between 2009 – 2011. Incorporating a full lightweight-specification monocoque and body panels; the complete car, with fluids and two seats fitted remarkably weighs in at just a little over a tonne! Reputedly originally commissioned to be built by Simon(e) Dunford of ‘Jaguar Classic Racing’, it was later taken on as a part-finished project by the respected restorer / preparer Andrew Tart. Tasked with making the car competitive for the race track but also useable on the road, Andrew has kindly provided us with copies of the invoices for all of the work he carried out during that two year period. The engine was rebuilt using the best components available, with some machining work carried out by Chesman Motorsport. Uprated pistons, conrods and a lightened flywheel were incorporated into the build, and modifications were made to the block to accept a larger water pump. This culminated in a dyno run at Sigma Engineering showing a healthy and useable 280.4bhp. The gearbox is a close-ratio full synchro unit and the car was issued with an FIA Historic Technical Passport in 2011.

The E-type now wears a period Coventry registration number plate ‘5145WK’, very similar to those used by the Works on the factory ‘lightweight’ cars. Interestingly, the original registration number was ‘1258 WK’, when supplied by Henleys of London to a Dr. Burton, confirmed on the accompanying Heritage certificate. Whilst the HTP has now lapsed, the impressive specification still boasts its FIA specification roll cage, plumbed-in fire extinguisher, electrical cut off with internal and external pulls, 8000rpm chronometric tachometer and a removable steering wheel. A long-range fuel tank is installed and the cockpit features two trimmed bucket seats, with four points racing harnesses. The passenger seat hinges forwards to access the rear brakes through the ’trap door’ in the bulkhead. The brakes were uprated, but legal and fully compliant with FIA rulings and the shock absorbers are fully-adjustable Leda units. Riding on magnesium peg-drive wheels, handling is aided with an uprated anti roll bar / front subframe.

Most recently used for fast-road use and a run at the VSCC’s fantastic Pomeroy Trophy; The new owner has the option to choose which direction to take the car in next. If the decision is made to go down the route of serious competition work, some development and investment will be required, however ’5145 WK’ has potential to be an outright race winner thereafter. Alternatively, the car would make a superb basis for long-distance Continental touring and classic rally events.

Accompanying documentation consists of a JDHT Heritage Certificate, FIA HTP (lapsed 2021); current V5c registration document in the vendor’s name and a dynamometer printout recording a maximum power output of 280.4bhp (with related invoice from ‘Sigma’). Arguably one of the prettiest and most iconic sports cars of the period, this Low-Drag E-Type has a wonderful patina and behaved faultlessly during our recent photography session.

Spares – 

Alternator

Two sets of racing harnesses (no belts currently fitted inside vehicle )

Brake pads (one car set)

Website:

https://adamsykes.co.uk/cars-for-sale/road-cars/1962-jaguar-e-type-lightweight-low-drag/

Keyword Search Terms:

Jaguar, Etype, XKE, pre-63, pre-66, Masters, FIA