This is a wonderful Series 1.5 Jaguar XKE 4.2L Roadster that is is excellent condition overall, with it’s original engine and gearbox installed. It runs and drives extremely well and has only 56,567 miles on the odometer. It’s painted in the classic British Racing Green and has a light tan “Doe Skin” leather interior, black Hartz cloth top, Chrome Dunlop wire wheels and Michelin Red Line radials.
The Jaguar XKE was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of beauty, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring. At a time when most cars had drum brakes, live rear axles, and mediocre performance, the E-Type sprang on the scene with 150 mph and a sub-7 second 0-60 time, monocoque construction, disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, independent front and rear suspension, and unrivaled looks. In fact, the E-Type was based on Jaguar’s own famed racer, the Type D, which had won the world’s most prestigious sports-car race three consecutive years (1955-1957) and, as such, it was the first production vehicle not to use a separate body bolted onto a chassis, instead employing the racing design of a body tub attached to a tubular framework, with the engine bolted directly to the framework.
The E-Type was initially designed and shown to the public as a rear-wheel drive grand tourer in two-seater coupé form and as a two-seater convertible. A “2+2” four-seater version of the coupé, with a lengthened wheelbase, was released several years later. On its release Enzo Ferrari called it “The most beautiful car ever made”. The Series 1 cars were made from 1961-68, and then Jaguar made numerous changes and released the Series 2.
While Jaguar itself never recognized a “Series 1½” or “Series 1.5,” over time, this sub-category has been recognized by the Jaguar Owners Club of Great Britain and other leading authorities. The 4.2 litre Series 1 was made in model years 1965-1967 and has VIN numbers 1E10001 – 1E15888 and 1E30001 – 1E34249. The Series 1.5 left hand drive OTS has serial numbers 1E15889 – 1E18368, with the hardtop version of the Series 1.5 having VIN numbers 1E34250 – 1E35815. Series 1.5 cars were made in model year 1968.
This particular car has a Coupe VIN that indicates it started life as a Coupe and so we assume at some point it was converted or re-bodied as a roadster. The roadster body and top show no signs of having been “cut” into a roadster, so our best assumption is that is was professionally re-bodied by an expert shop at some point in it’s life, making it a great value.
The car has excellent chrome and rubber. The paint is very nice, as is the exhaust system and note. The engine has perfect compression and was serviced only 300 miles ago. The can be seen and inspected in the Denver, CO area by appointment