Paul Hudson , Deputy Editor, Telegraph Cars
9 March 2016 • 9:36am
A 1963 Series 1 E-type has sold for £57,900 at auction, despite requiring a full restoration
A Jaguar E-type found under a hedge in the village of Bisley in Surrey sold at auction yesterday evening for £57,900 including commission.
Although it was sold without a reserve price, the spiralling values of E-types meant that this 1963 example with only 44,870 miles on the clock was highly sought-after - despite requiring extensive restoration.
It still has the last tax disc on its screen, which expired in November 1969.
The early Series 1, 3.8-litre car is finished in Carmen Red with a tan interior. It is one of 1,799 right-hand-drive, fixed-head coupes built. With an inline six-cylinder engine developing 265bhp, the car was capable of a top speed of 150mph and 0-60mph in less than 7 seconds
The car’s first owner in May 1963 was Ivor Arbiter, who designed the early Beatles logo with the dropped capital T to emphasis the “beat” part of the band’s name.
In November 1965 the car passed to SB Cain of Greenford, who sold it to garage owner Howard H Measham, who used it for a short period.
In December 1967 the car moved to its last owner, Frank Riches, who raced it between 1967 and 1969.
James Good, a valuer at auctioneer Coys, which is sold the car, said: “This wonderful Series 1 E-type is in original condition, with matching numbers and has never been restored. It is ideal for restoration and is extremely rare. It has a great history, including racing, which collectors love.”
The car was sold with its original brown log book, V5 and V5C, its last MoT certificate from November 1968, the sales invoice to Frank Riches for £855 along with a Jaguar heritage certificate confirming all the important details. It also has its original service handbook and manual, a spare parts catalogue and the original jack.
It was sold at the Coys Spring Classics auction at the Royal Horticultural Society hall in Westminster.