1961 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES 1 3.8 LHD OTS
Here at Moss Jaguar, we have always been renowned for building good, reliable E-Types but not focussing on the early cars. We have restored a few 1962 models, but never one of the elusive first 500.
It was in 2019 when I was having lunch with an old chum who mentioned that he knew of an early car that was for sale in Canada and might I be interested. At the time I wasn’t as I had enough work to do on my 1948 Peugeot motor bike, and my "everyday" 1966 Coupe. A few months went by and the final payment for my 1965 OTS was made which left me with a few pounds in the bank. I began to think it might be a nice idea to restore an OBL (Outside Bonnet Latch) car as they have always held a fascination for me. I made contact with my lunch partner again and he put me in touch with the current (long term owner). I was warned, the car is in Canada and the price is non-negotiable. He will "interview" you as he only wants the car to go the right person.
I passed the interview and to cut a long story short, the car was returned to the UK in December 2020 (luckily before the pandemic hit). We collected the car from the docks and got it back into the workshop just in time for Christmas.
It was in 2019 when I was having lunch with an old chum who mentioned that he knew of an early car that was for sale in Canada and might I be interested. At the time I wasn’t as I had enough work to do on my 1948 Peugeot motor bike, and my "everyday" 1966 Coupe. A few months went by and the final payment for my 1965 OTS was made which left me with a few pounds in the bank. I began to think it might be a nice idea to restore an OBL (Outside Bonnet Latch) car as they have always held a fascination for me. I made contact with my lunch partner again and he put me in touch with the current (long term owner). I was warned, the car is in Canada and the price is non-negotiable. He will "interview" you as he only wants the car to go the right person.
I passed the interview and to cut a long story short, the car was returned to the UK in December 2020 (luckily before the pandemic hit). We collected the car from the docks and got it back into the workshop just in time for Christmas.
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So, more about the car.
Chassis No: 875047
Body No: R 1071
Engine No: R 1082-9
Gearbox No: EB 192 JS
Original Colour: Opalescent Dark Blue
Interior: Red
DOM: 18 May 1961
The car was currently painted (badly) in red and the interior changed to black. Luckily all the hardura had been painted so we managed to clean off all the black paint to reveal the original colour (more on that later).
The engine and gearbox are matching as well as the rear axle. Electrical components are largely original but we will search for the correct ones over time.
The bonnet is original apart from the centre section so we don’t have the original welded louvres (this will be rectified). Early original bonnets are really rare as they rusted out early on in their lives. We know the rest of the bonnet is original as we have found the remains of the original blue underneath the red. Also, the construction of the bonnet is correct for 1961.
The floor pans have been replaced and there is evidence of bad repair work to the rear of the car. Luckily, the original features in the boot survive so they can be repaired or replicated. The doors are complete and original although the LHS hinge has been replaced with a later one.
Chassis No: 875047
Body No: R 1071
Engine No: R 1082-9
Gearbox No: EB 192 JS
Original Colour: Opalescent Dark Blue
Interior: Red
DOM: 18 May 1961
The car was currently painted (badly) in red and the interior changed to black. Luckily all the hardura had been painted so we managed to clean off all the black paint to reveal the original colour (more on that later).
The engine and gearbox are matching as well as the rear axle. Electrical components are largely original but we will search for the correct ones over time.
The bonnet is original apart from the centre section so we don’t have the original welded louvres (this will be rectified). Early original bonnets are really rare as they rusted out early on in their lives. We know the rest of the bonnet is original as we have found the remains of the original blue underneath the red. Also, the construction of the bonnet is correct for 1961.
The floor pans have been replaced and there is evidence of bad repair work to the rear of the car. Luckily, the original features in the boot survive so they can be repaired or replicated. The doors are complete and original although the LHS hinge has been replaced with a later one.
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The car was kept on the road and covered very few miles in the last 20 years or so. This can be a good and bad thing. As components failed, they were replaced with what was available at the time. The windscreen washer motor and glass bottle had been changed for a later plastic one and the radiator updated at some time.
These are the types of things that you expect to find on a car that has been kept on the road.
When 47 was painted, it wasn’t stripped down which was good news for the car as this meant much of it hadn’t been disturbed.
These early cars are so different to later ones. Even the Chassis' from 100+ would be different as the factory were desperate to develop the cars whilst keeping the E-Type Production line running. During the strip down, we will show the early features as we uncover them.
These are the types of things that you expect to find on a car that has been kept on the road.
When 47 was painted, it wasn’t stripped down which was good news for the car as this meant much of it hadn’t been disturbed.
These early cars are so different to later ones. Even the Chassis' from 100+ would be different as the factory were desperate to develop the cars whilst keeping the E-Type Production line running. During the strip down, we will show the early features as we uncover them.
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