Five Jaguar E‑types to buy right now

1961 Series I (flat floor) 3.8 fixed-head coupe, £95-110,000

Silverstone Auctions, 28^th March

Here’s an E-type from its first year of production that ticks plenty of boxes and which may prove irresistible to anyone hung up on that 60^th anniversary: this is chassis number 60.

It’s a flat-floor fixed-head, one of 175 UK-delivered right-hookers, finished in gunmetal grey with a red leather interior. Maximum E in other words. And it looks beautiful, as you might expect after 43 years of cherished single ownership and a ground-up restoration in 2000.

Also as you might expect it comes with a bulging history file, including Jaguar Heritage certificate, and a period correct radio. The car is one of a number of Es in Silverstone Auctions’ live online Race Retro sale.

1964 Series I 3.8 “semi Lightweight” competition roadster, £160-200,000

Bonhams, 19^th May

There are few better sights in historic racing than a competition E-type howling around a circuit, as visitors to Goodwood events know only too well. With hardtop and racing livery – this white with blue stripes scheme is based on Briggs Cunningham’s colours – a racing E not only looks the part but is devastatingly effective as well.

With real Lightweights costing in the millions, “semi” Lightweight recreations are the order of the day, and this one up for grabs in Bonhams’ spring collectors’ car sale is a beauty. Ready to race, it comes with FIA papers to 2030.

1964 Series I 4.2 roadster, £70-90,000

Silverstone Auctions, 28^th March

This seems a high estimate for an E-type that’s definitely rough around the edges. Well, it might be tired but in 57 years it’s only ever been driven 2,805 miles by its first owner. As a restoration opportunity, Silverstone Auctions says it is incredible.

What’s the story behind it? In the hands of its first young playboy owner the car racked up its 2,800 miles in its first three months – until it was crashed at Snetterton by said playboy (a clue here may lie in the fact that he had seven court appearances for dangerous driving by the time he was 21).

Despite some repairs being made by a subsequent owner, the car hasn’t turned a wheel since and today it’s in need of a total restoration.

1972 V12 fixed-head, £45-55,000

H&H Auctions, 14^th April

Our youngest E is this Series III fixed-head coupe from 1972. With Jaguar’s creamy 5.3-litre V12 aboard the E-type evolved into a very different beast from Series I and Series II cars, more long-legged tourer than sportscar, but is there a more stylish 1970s way to eat up big distances at high speeds (and it would do 150mph)?

The H&H car for its annual auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford has been subject to extensive bodywork and mechanical restoration, but importantly it boasts matching numbers, comes with a Jaguar Heritage certificate, and has its original cinnamon leather upholstery. It’s covered 52,000 miles.

1968 Series II 4.2 roadster, £60-70,000

Silverstone Auctions, 28^th March

This was originally a US car but was converted to right-hand-drive and restored in the UK in 2012, and today comes across as being in very fine fettle. Jaguar blue paint, red leather interior, re-chromed brightwork, new chrome wire wheels and a new mohair hood all help.

As a Series II it has all the updated mechanicals including better brakes that make any Series II easier to live with than earlier cars, while the sole mechanical upgrade is fitment of a five-speed gearbox from Guy Broad.

Images courtesy of Bonhams, Silverstone Auctions and H&H Auctions.