1961 Jaguar E-Type ‘Competition Roadster’

£ 875 000

Winner of the prestigious Goodwood Revival Tourist Trophy in 2023 and one of the most successful competition E-Types campaigned throughout North America in period. This extensively documented, immaculately prepared E-Type is the perfect entry ticket for the greatest historic races and rallies on the calendar.

Highly successful, fifteen year period competition career, particularly with David Dooley in North American SCCA events, recording 3 outright victories and 14 class wins
Among the most successful of all E-Types raced in North America, having raced against many of the great cars and drivers of its era including Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon, AJ Foyt and more
Winner of the 2023 RAC Tourist Trophy at the Goodwood Revival
A multiple Goodwood Revival and Members Meeting entrant and a regular front runner
Meticulously prepared to Pre-66 GT specification to the highest of standards by British marque specialists Valley Motorsport
Previously owned by three-time Le Mans winner and WEC champion Andre Lotterer, and raced by three-time WTCC Champion Andy Priaulx
Accompanied by valid FIA Historic Technical Passport and a vast and truly remarkable history file, including the original SCCA log books, hand-written period results and correspondence with Jaguar Cars
Eligible for the Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic, Modena Cento Ore, Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic Series and much more

Launched on the eve of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the strikingly beautiful Jaguar E-Type was meant to be solely a road car, with no plans for use in competition. Jaguar’s competition pedigree was, however, undeniable as their new sports car was a direct descendant of the all-conquering D-Type, with the Jaguar E2A prototype even being raced at Le Mans in 1960. Like the three-time Le Mans winning D-Type, the E-Type featured a sophisticated monocoque chassis and Jaguar's iconic 'XK' straight-six engine. Unsurprisingly, E-Types hit the race track as soon as the first examples were delivered. Eventually the factory-produced “Lightweight” competition version was created but a vast majority of the E-Types raced in period, and often successfully, were privateer road cars modified by or for their respective owners.

During the 1950s, Jaguar had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans no fewer than five times, with the groundbreaking D-Type taking the honours in 1955, 1956 and 1957. Borrowing from aircraft technology, the D-Type was built around a monocoque chassis that used fully stressed exterior panels, making the car considerably lighter than a conventional design that featured a separate chassis and body. Mounted in a front sub-frame was the twin-cam straight-six engine that had first been introduced in 1948 with the XK120 road-going sports car.

By the end of the decade, the ageing XK platform needed a revamp. Enter the E-Type, which would carry over much of the engineering of the all conquering D-Type, including its monocoque structure and front subframe. The latter housed Jaguar’s latest XK straight-six engine with a displacement of 3,781cc, aluminium cylinder heads and three SU carburettors, producing 265 bhp. The raw power of the straight six engine was matched by great handling characteristics courtesy of the all-round independent suspension and disc brakes. The exterior design penned by Malcolm Sayer was breathtaking to all who laid eyes upon it, Enzo Ferrari included. The new Jaguar was an instant sensation, the must have item for any jetsetter, sports car enthusiast or design amateur for that matter.

While the E-Type was selling in record numbers across Europe and the United States, the smart businessman that was Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons knew and recognised the value of racing. Having competed with his works team at Le Mans for many years, he was also fully aware of the cost of such endeavours. This was one of the reasons why the E-Type was initially not prepared for competition by Jaguar themselves. Lyons did, however, make sure that many of the early cars were built to the very highest standards and then sold/loaned to customers and teams who shared his inclination for racing. E-Types would therefore often be a regular sight on race tracks on both sides of the Atlantic, whether it be at Goodwood, Aintree and Silverstone, or Sebring, Daytona and Nassau, driven by the likes of Graham Hill, Mike Parkes and Roy Salvadori.

In 1963, Jaguar eventually produced the 'Lightweight' competition versions of the E-Type to take on the exotic Ferrari 250 GTO and Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, but the bulk of the E-Type racing successes were scored by modified 'Semi Lightweight' E-Types. Such was the E-Type’s success among privateer racers that many of these cars would be seen still racing at national events well into the 1970s. Today, E-Types with period racing pedigree are in particular demand as they are eligible for many major historic events including the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy race during the annual Goodwood Revival Meeting.

Completed on the 1st June 1961, this left-hand drive roadster is one of the earliest E-Types produced and one of 385 left-hand drive roadsters to leave the factory with the desirable early features including outside bonnet locks, welded louvres and a so-called ‘flat floor’. Finished in Gunmetal Opalescent over a light blue interior, it was dispatched on the 22nd June 1961 to Jaguar Cars New York. Its first owner and early life is not known, however, in 1963 it was purchased by David Dooley, an SCCA racer looking for an upgrade for his ageing Jaguar XK150S.

Seeking a competitive edge, Dooley wrote to William Lyons hoping to obtain competition components directly from Jaguar. He was not successful but did receive technical guidance to turn his newly acquired E-Type Roadster into a front running machine. Dooley, an engineer by trade, prepared the car over the 1963/1964 winter in time for the 1964 SCCA season. As per Jaguar’s instructions, improvements were made to the engine, gearbox and brakes. Dooley also saved weight by removing the full windscreen, much of the chrome surrounds and instead installed a small rollbar. Finally, he had the car re-finished in burgundy with gold painted start number 78 on the doors and engine cover.

The guidance Dooley had received proved more than useful as the E-Type was immediately driven to a ‘B Production’ class win during its March 1964 debut at Seguin. It was the start of a hugely successful racing season for the Dooley E-Type. It was entered in a total of 14 events and went on to score two outright victories and another overall podium. On his way to top honours in the 1964 SCCA Mid-Western B Production Divisional championship, Dooley also scored a total of ten class wins and a further two class podiums throughout the season.

Dooley was back behind the wheel of chassis 875073 for 1965. He was once again very successful in SCCA events, scoring an outright win and four class victories en route to a 2nd place finish in the 1965 SCCA Mid-Western B Production Divisional championship. Towards the end of the season, Dooley shipped the E-Type to Nassau for the Bahamas Speed Week. A highly prestigious event in period, the small island attracted big names that year such as Bruce Mclaren in his McLaren Elva, Chris Amon in a Ford GTX, and Jim Hall in his Chaparral. Against this fierce competition, Dooley and the E-Type would perform strongly, finishing 3rd in class in both the Governor’s Trophy and the Nassau Trophy.

Following the conclusion of the 1965 season, the E-Type was not raced again by Dooley, who stored the car in a barn for the remainder of his ownership. In 1969, James Temme came across the car and purchased it from Dooley. Keen for the car to write a new chapter of its competition career, Temme prepared it for racing and changed the colour to a shiny bronze. Having completed his work, Temme raced the car in multiple SCCA events during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. The next custodian was Robert Ladd of Ladd Motors in Pennsylvania, a British Leyland dealer. Racing the car only in hillclimb events, he also saw a huge amount of success, winning his class in every event entered in 1974 and winning the Susquehanna Regional C Production Championship. Chassis 875073 then continued its competition career in the hands of Steve Cantrell. Cantrell would compete in a number of hill climbs, SCCA races and autocross events between 1978 and 1983.

Following its period competition career, chassis 875073 was retired and remained in the ownership of Steve Cantrell. Eventually, the E-Type would be woken from its slumber when purchased by Bob Bodine directly from Steve Cantrell after almost 40 years of ownership. Bodine set about restoring the car and preparing it for historic racing. Finishing the car in its original shade of Gunmetal Opalescent, it would race once again at the 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, entered in a special E-Type race held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model.

In early 2020, historic racer and former HSR president David Hinton purchased the car. A specialist and expert in competition cars with his team Heritage Motorsport, David set about researching the car’s history fastidiously. Through finding former owners and people familiar with the car, David was able to acquire many of chassis 875073’s original parts from specialist Chuck Hadley and obtain many original documents from Steve Cantrell. Planning to take the car back to its 1965 look, David’s plans would alter and the car would be sold to Rupert Clevely and multiple Le Mans winner André Lotterer.

They sent the E-Type to marque specialists Valley Motorsport to be prepared to full Period F Pre-66 GT specification using FIA-correct parts including an alloy engine block. As shown by the invoices on file, which total £240,000, no expense was spared. As a spectacular finishing touch, the E-Type was re-painted in the colours originally used by David Dooley. Lotterer and Clevely wasted no time in pressing 875073 into action, racing in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the RAC Tourist Trophy at the Goodwood Revival, finishing 9th in 2022 after lapping within two-tenths of the E-Type Lightweight shared by Jenson Button and Harrison Newey that year. It was then sold to our vendor, who shared the E-Type in the RAC TT race at the 2023 Revival with Andy Priaulx. A great drive by the owner and the former World Touring Car Champion, saw the E-Type score a highly coveted victory in the RAC Tourist Trophy at its third attempt.

Combining formidable racing pedigree, immaculate preparation and a striking livery, this E-Type will be a centre piece in any collection. Among the most successful E-Types raced in North America, chassis 875073 is offered with UK road registration '60 YNP' and a selection of spares. Also included with the car is an extensive folder of documentation that includes letters between Dooley and Jaguar Cars, the SCCA log books of Dooley and Cantrell, hand-written notes of Dooley’s results, period photographs, a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate issued in 2006 and all the invoices of the recent work. Today, the car is offered with minimal work required to be fully race ready, with the engine still having 50% of its life remaining.

As proven by its RAC TT victory in the 2023 Goodwood Revival, the ex-David Dooley E-Type is sure to be a highly competitive Pre-66 GT entry. Chassis 875073 is eligible for all the great events, including the Goodwood Revival but also Le Mans Classic, the Modena Cento Ore, Tour Auto and the Sixties' Endurance races of the Le Mans Classic Series.

The annual Goodwood Revival is one of the historic motorsport calendar’s most anticipated events. Held over three days in September, featuring several races, this E-Type is eligible for the RAC TT race for cars that competed in the race during the period. The next running is to take place in September 2026.

The annual Goodwood Members Meeting is a highly anticipated event in the Motorsport calendar. Held over a weekend in April, featuring several races, this E-Type is eligible for the Phil Hill Cup for pre-66 GT cars. The next running is to take place in April 2027.

For pre-63 sports and pre-66 GT cars, Peter Auto’s Sixties Endurance grid holds a full annual calendar of events in Europe. These events take place at some iconic circuits, including Spa and Paul Ricard. For 2026, the series will travel to the US, partaking in the HSR Daytona Classic.

Motor Racing Legends has two grids that cater for the Jaguar E-Type. The RAC Pall Mall Cup consists of a 2 hour endurance race, with the Pre-66 GT Sprint consisting of a 1 hour race. Both grids go to a number of iconic circuits, including Donington, Silverstone and Dijon.

The annual Tour Auto is one of the most prestigious rallies in Europe. It is held over five days, with the rally starting in Paris and travelling the length and breadth of France. The Tour Auto caters for models which competed in the Tour de France between 1951 and 1986 and the next running of the famous rally is set to take place between 3rd-9th May, 2026.

Held in Italy, the annual Modena Cento Ore is one of Europe’s most popular rallies. Held over a week in October, with the rally travelling from Modena to Rome and is for cars constructed between 1919 and 1981, which hold a valid FIA HTP. The next running of the Modena Cento Ore is set to take place between October 6th and 11th, 2026.

For vintage sports cars and sports racers as produced and raced to 1967, HSR’s Vintage Cup holds a number of events in the United States. Among these events are two of the premier historic endurance races, HSR Classic Daytona in November and HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour in December.

This annual event takes place during the iconic Monterey car week at the world-renowned Laguna Seca circuit. This event holds a variety of races, including the Ken Miles Trophy for large displacement production cars, which competed in the SCCA from 1955 to 1967. The next event takes place in August 2026.

“I’ve been fortunate to race a great many E-Types over the years, and nobody builds them better than Valley Motorsport. That this car, with its charming period history, has so recently been restored by this decorated British specialist to their highest specification marks it, unquestionably, as a victory contender at every future outing. Performance plus provenance? This example ticks both boxes, emphatically.”