1961 Jaguar E-Type

The earliest of E-Type’s, the ‘Outside Bonnet Lock’ cars, are often – like the Alloy XK120 before it – considered to be as much of a separate model as the 2+2 or V12, the differences being so notable. As the OBL transitioned to the standard bonnet in late 1961, other early features, such as the ‘flat floor’, also began to disappear as production was ramped up.

This example, chassis 860137, is the penultimate Right Hand Drive ‘flat floor’ Coupe built, just before the factory closed down for Christmas in 1961. Finished in Mist Grey over red, it was registered SGR 167 in January 1962.

A standard road car, a decade later it was converted into a Modsports racer, and appears in the book documenting the history of the Brighton Speed Trails. Discovered, disassembled but relatively complete, in around 2008 it has since been restored by Haynes Heritage to its original 1961 factory specifications.

A history file documenting the restoration accompanies the car, and it is available for viewing in our Bicester showrooms.