A new arrival at Oldtimer Australia is this highly desirable 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Litre Flat Floor Roadster.

Few cars have made an impact quite like the Jaguar E-Type. Famously described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made, its combination of breathtaking looks, outstanding performance and advanced engineering made it an instant sensation. More than six decades later, the E-Type remains one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable sports cars of all time, with the early Flat Floor Roadsters among the purest and coveted examples.

The Heritage Certificate on file confirms that this E-Type was manufactured on the 1st January 1962 and despatched from the factory just ten days later, on the 11th January 1962, to Jaguar Cars in New York, USA. It left the factory finished in Black with a Biscuit interior and Black soft top. Importantly, the chassis, engine, cylinder head and gearbox numbers recorded on the certificate correspond with those found on the car today, confirming it as a highly desirable matching numbers example.

The early history of the car is not known. There is a copy of an Ohio Certificate of Title on file, dated the 8th June 1982. It records that the car had been acquired by Mr John C. Mumford of Warsaw, Ohio, from its previous owner, Mr Joseph F. Simmons of Coshocton, Ohio.

In the mid 1990s the car was acquired by Jaguar specialists The Cats Whiskers, then based in Carindale (Brisbane), Queensland. It is understood that prior to being acquired by them, the car had been in storage in Ohio for approximately 13 years.
There are a number of photographs on file documenting the car as it was found in the United States. They show it in a partially disassembled state and at that time finished in British Racing Green with a Black interior.
The Cats Whiskers subsequently sold the car to the current owner in February 1996 and it was imported into Australia. There is a confirmation on file showing an import approval was issued for the car on 10th April 1996. The new owner then engaged their services to undertake a comprehensive restoration. The car was stripped back to bare metal and the necessary body repairs were completed before it was refinished in its current colour of Old English White. The interior was retrimmed in its original Biscuit colour, while the cars mechanical and other components were assessed and either refurbished or replaced as required. As part of the restoration, the car was also converted from left to right hand drive.

In around March 1997, with the restoration approximately 95 per cent complete, the current owner decided to bring the car home to Adelaide, South Australia. He subsequently engaged the services of Peter Englehardt of Classic & Sportscars in Norwood to complete the restoration.

There is an extensive photographic record on file documenting the restoration as it progressed. One of these photographs shows the instruments and suggests the odometer was reset to zero at that time.

By May 1997 the restoration was completed and the car was subsequently registered in South Australia.

For almost 30 years, the current owner has enjoyed this E-Type, but the time has now come for its next custodian to continue its story.

The quality of the restoration has certainly stood the test of time. At the time of our photography, the odometer was showing 5,536 miles, which is understood to be the distance travelled since the restoration was completed.

Walking around the car, it is hard not to be impressed by how well it presents today. Despite having been repainted almost 30 years ago, the Old English White paintwork has retained a good depth of colour and an attractive finish.

While the car has been used sparingly, its restoration was completed almost 30 years ago and as you would expect, there are a few minor paint imperfections and small stone chips evident upon close inspection. Importantly, none significantly detract from the cars overall presentation.

As part of the restoration, the car was fitted with a new set of wire wheels. They remain in very good condition today, with no evidence of any kerb rash or damage. The wheels are shod with Bridgestone 205/70R15 tyres, which appear to carry a date code of 486, most likely indicating manufacture in the 48th week of 1996. Given their age, we would recommend replacing the tyres before undertaking any serious or extended driving.

Under the bonnet sits Jaguars legendary 3.8 litre XK engine. The engine bay remains exceptionally clean and tidy and its presentation is particularly impressive given the age of the restoration. This is a testament to both the quality of the work undertaken at the time and the care this E-Type has received from its long-term owner ever since.

The boot is equally well presented, remaining clean and tidy throughout, with the spare wire wheel neatly housed beneath the boot floor.

Inside, the cabin has also stood the test of time remarkably well. The leather seats remain in very good condition with no rips or tears and they provide ample support and a reasonably comfortable driving position. The wood rimmed steering wheel is a particularly attractive feature and it also presents well.

The dashboard is clean and tidy, while the instruments remain clear and crisp. During our test drive, all appeared to operate as they should. Further reminders that this is an early Series 1 E-Type are the distinctive aluminium centre dashboard panel and matching aluminium trim to the top of the centre console, both of which remain in good condition. An original-style radio is also fitted within the centre console.

The door cards and carpets complete a cabin that has clearly been well cared for and continue to present well today.

If you are out enjoying the car and happen to get caught in a shower, the soft top provides welcome protection from the elements. It is straightforward to raise and can easily be managed by one person. The hood itself remains in good condition, as does the rear window, which is still pleasingly clear and has avoided the discolouration often seen with age.

Driving an E-Type is always a special experience and this car certainly does not disappoint. It starts readily, even from cold with assistance of the choke. Once the 3.8 litre straight six engine fires it quickly settles into a smooth idle. As always, we prefer to give the engine a little time to warm up before heading out onto the open road.

The Moss gearbox is very much part of the character of these early E-Types and does require a little familiarity to get the best from it. This car is no different. Selecting first gear can occasionally require a little patience, although selecting second before engaging first makes the process considerably easier. Once on the move, deliberate gear changes combined with a small blip of the throttle between shifts help make the changes noticeably smoother. The gearbox is significantly easier to operate once warm.

Once out on the road, the engine feels strong and eager, with plenty of power on tap. It pulls willingly through the gears and has that wonderful smoothness for which Jaguars XK engine is renowned. The throttle response is excellent. The car feels reassuringly solid on the road, while the steering is direct and provides good feedback. The brakes perform well, pulling the car up confidently and in a straight line when required.

It all comes together to deliver the kind of engaging and thoroughly enjoyable driving experience that has made the E-Type such an enduring icon.

In recent years this E-Type has been used sparingly. There is a service invoice on file from the Classic and Sports Car Boutique in Norwood, South Australia, dated July 2021, at which time the odometer read 5,367 miles. More recently, in September 2026, Classic and Prestige in Geebung replaced the clutch master and slave cylinders, gearbox oil and spark plugs.

Accompanying the car is a history file, including the Heritage Certificate, an historic Ohio Certificate of Title, a photo album documenting the restoration, an owners manual, E-Type service manual and other historic documentation.

Highlights:

- Highly desirable early Series 1 3.8 Litre Flat Floor Roadster.
- Matching-numbers chassis, engine and gearbox.
- Comprehensively restored and still presents beautifully almost 30 years later.
- Almost 30 years of continuous ownership with its current owner.
- Ready to use and enjoy.

The current owner has been very realistic with his price expectations and we feel the car is very competitively priced in todays market.

Price: $199,950.


Background

The Swallow Sidecar Company was founded in 1922 by William Lyons and William Walmsley. Initially the companys focus was on making sidecars for motorcycles. Over the next few years the company slowly transitioned into coachbuilding. In May 1927 the company announced they would start making 2 seater bodies on Austin and Morris chassis and running gear. During the winter of 1928-1929 the company relocated to Coventry and continued to shift its focus from sidecars to cars. In 1929 they produced a one off car, a sleek open boat tail two seater.

In October 1931 at the Motor Show they produced their first prototype of what was to become the SS 1. It was powered by a six-cylinder side-valve engine of 15hp. The SS 1 was superseded by the SS 2 in 1932.

In 1934 Lyons formed SS Cars Limited to effectively take over the operation from Walmsley. The SS brand was quite successful, though their cars had a reputation for having more show than go.

The first open two seater sports car was introduced in 1935, the SS90. It was powered by a 2½-litre side-valve, six-cylinder engine and only 23 were made.

1935 was also the year the Jaguar name first started appearing on the SS cars.

In 1936 the company introduced one of the greatest pre-war sports cars ever, the SS Jaguar 100 which remained in production until the start of World War II. Like so many British companies production ceased during the war to free up resources to support the war effort.

One of the first things that happened after World War II was the renaming of the company. At a general meeting held on 23rd March 1945 the shareholders agreed to change the name of the company to Jaguar Cars Limited.

In 1948, at the London Motor Show, Jaguar introduced a car which really put them on the map, the legendary Jaguar XK120. The car caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put it into production. The XK120 morphed into the XK140 and ultimately the XK150 and in total, just over 30,000 cars were built over 15 years of production.

In 1961, at the Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar introduced the E-Type, which like the XK120 all those years ago, took the motoring world by storm. The body styling was simply gorgeous and technologically the E-Type was an engineering masterpiece and it set new standards in all areas.

Whilst automotive styling is somewhat subjective, the E-Type is often ranked atop lists of the most beautiful cars and in fact it has been described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made. And its not just about the looks as the E-Type is often at the top of other lists such as the best sports car ever built or the most significant cars. It is truly a motoring icon.

As a testament to the success of the E-Type, production evolved through three series from 1961 until 1974 during which time circa 70,000 cars were built.