1961 Jaguar XKE - Inquire - Oceanside, CA - It is very rare to find an original, unmolested XKE, more so, it is even harder to find a 1961 XKE convertible outside bonnet latch car. It is number 206 in the early E-type production history and it was delivered on August 24th, 1961 to Jaguar Cars of New York and then was sold to an egg company & delivered to the owner’s home in Fulton, Alabama. This great example is matching numbers which is documented by the Heritage Certificate that accompanies it. It has remained its original color combination since birth. It has good history and has been well maintained, and underwent a restoration in 2010 by Jaguar professionals. It is currently undergoing a full service, paying attention to all necessary items to make it a dependable driver, and bringing it back to its stock condition. This beauty comes complete with the factory owner’s manual, and books. This highly collectable 1961 E-type OTS OBL is for the discerning Jaguar Collector and enthusiast.
This Jaguar has attended the following shows:
• JCNA Challenge Championship Events
• Chateau Élan in Georgia
HISTORY: The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market launch came four months later in July 1961. The cars at this time used the triple SU carbureted 3.8 liter 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S. The first 300 cars built had flat floors and external hood (bonnet) latches. These cars are rare and more valuable. The outside bonnet latch is the most sought after of all the Series I E types. Only 500 external bonnet latch cars were made, of those, 385 were left-hand drive roadsters, 20 left hand drive coupes, 91 right hand drive roadsters, and 4 right-hand drive coupes. After that, the floors were dished to provide more leg room and the twin hood latches moved to inside the car. The 3.8 liter engine was increased to 4.2 liters in October 1964. This is a California car that is complete and has the features that so many collectors look for, which are: flat floor, welded louvers, outside bonnet latches, low number production car, and matching numbers.