6 photos

1961' Jaguar E-Type

€149,500

Published 31 July 2026ID: nhP0ft

Retro Classic Europe
France
+33Show phone

Information from the owner

Body: Sports Car

Age: 65 years

Mileage: 55000 km

Displacement: 3800 cc

Fuel: Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Exterior color: Bronze

Seller's comments about 1961' Jaguar E-Type

Exceptionally original matching numbers 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3. 8 'Flat Floor' Roadster. Original California car supplied with its Jaguar Heritage Certificate, original California Title and EU Customs Clearance Certificate (846A). Recently featured on Bring a Trailer, where its originality was examined in exceptional detail by respected Jaguar historians, restorers and collectors. The complete auction, including over 500 photographs, videos and extensive technical discussion, remains available to view.Retro Classic is delighted to offer this exceptionally original 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3. 8 'Flat Floor' Roadster.Offered for sale for the first time since being imported from California, this is one of the most extensively researched and documented early Flat Floor restoration projects to come to market in recent years.Few cars occupy such an important place in automotive history. Unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type instantly became an icon, with Enzo Ferrari famously describing it as "the most beautiful car ever made." Among E-Types, the earliest 'Flat Floor' cars are the most coveted by collectors, representing the purest expression of Malcolm Sayer's original design before a series of production changes were introduced later in 1961.This exceptionally early matching numbers example presents a rare opportunity to acquire an unusually original restoration project that has survived remarkably intact. Unlike many E-Types that have been extensively restored, modified or rebuilt using replacement panels over the past sixty years, this car retains an extraordinary degree of originality and authenticity.An Exceptionally Honest Survivor:Originally delivered new to California, the car spent many years in the dry climate of the American West before being imported into France. It has remained off the road for decades and now offers an outstanding opportunity for sympathetic restoration or preservation.The car retains its:Matching numbers engineOriginal gearboxOriginal cylinder headOriginal body shellOriginal bonnetOriginal bulkhead and structural panelsNumerous original interior componentsThe vehicle is supplied with its original California Title, Jaguar Heritage Certificate and EU Customs Clearance Certificate (846A). All EU import duties and VAT have already been paid, meaning the car is in free circulation within the European Union and can be registered in any EU member state without further import charges.Extensive Research & Documentation:This E-Type was recently offered on Bring a Trailer, where it attracted worldwide attention from Jaguar collectors, historians and restoration specialists.Throughout the auction, the car's originality was examined in exceptional detail. Numerous factory stampings, body numbers, construction details and early production features were scrutinised and discussed by respected members of the Jaguar community, together with Jaguar Heritage.The consensus was clear: this is an exceptionally original and highly authentic early Flat Floor E-Type.The public scrutiny the car received during the auction, together with the contributions from recognised Jaguar experts, provides an unusual level of transparency and gives prospective purchasers confidence that they are acquiring one of the most thoroughly documented early Flat Floor projects currently available.The complete Bring a Trailer auction remains available to view and includes over 500 high-resolution photographs, videos and extensive technical discussion. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to review the listing as part of their own due diligence:- details aboveEarly Flat Floor Features:As one of the earliest production E-Types, this car retains many of the distinctive characteristics unique to the first months of production, making it particularly desirable to collectors.Its originality extends well beyond the matching numbers drivetrain. The body structure displays the features expected of these earliest cars, offering an increasingly rare opportunity to restore an E-Type that has not lost its identity through decades of replacement panels, reproduction components and over-restoration.A Rare Restoration Opportunity:The rising cost of restoring early E-Types has understandably reduced the number of worthwhile restoration candidates entering the market. However, when originality is this exceptional, the result can justify the investment.This is not simply another E-Type requiring restoration. It is an opportunity to preserve one of the earliest examples of one of the world's most important sports cars.Whether the next owner chooses to undertake a meticulous concours restoration or sympathetically recommission the car whilst preserving as much original material as possible, this E-Type provides an outstanding foundation.The vehicle is currently stored in France (Poitiers) and inspections are welcomed strictly by appointment.Documentation:The sale includes:Original California TitleJaguar Heritage CertificateEU Customs Clearance Certificate (846A)Extensive photographic recordAccess to the complete Bring a Trailer auction with over 500 photographs, videos and detailed technical discussionWorldwide ShippingRetro Classic has extensive experience exporting significant collector vehicles worldwide and would be pleased to assist with international shipping arrangements.Independent inspections are welcomed, and we are happy to provide additional photographs, documentation or answer detailed technical questions.Summary:Originality is becoming one of the most valuable qualities in the collector car market, and projects of this calibre rarely become available.Cars are only original once.This exceptionally early 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3. 8 'Flat Floor' Roadster represents a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most historically significant post-war sports cars ever produced, retaining an extraordinary degree of authenticity and offering its next custodian the chance to preserve a truly exceptional example for future generations.Thanks for your interest.