1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Roadster (flat floor)

875807roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: 3.8L inline-six
Colour: Opalescent Silver Grey

Chassis 875807 is a 3.8-litre Series 1 E-Type Roadster, flat-floor configuration, delivered new to Portugal in 1961 — among the first ten such cars supplied there. Its first owner, Manuel 'Mané' Nogueira Pinto, was a prominent Portuguese racing driver who campaigned it across Portugal, Mozambique, and Angola in 1962–1963, recording notable victories at Lourenço Marques and twice at the Montes Claros street circuit against Ferrari and Porsche opposition. After its racing career ended, the car was later found intact but requiring attention, and underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration completed in 2011. It retains matching numbers and its original Opalescent Silver Grey over Dark Blue colour scheme.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold €582,400 (≈ $641K)
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1961 →Factory delivery
Manuel 'Mané' Nogueira Pinto
full documentation
Took delivery via official importer Martins & Almeida and dealer João Gaspar in Porto; original purchase invoice survives alongside a JDHT Certificate confirming original specification.

Competition

1962
GT Support Race, 1962 Mozambique Grand Prix
Driver: Manuel Nogueira Pinto1st
Held at Autodromo de Lourenço Marques; defeated a Ferrari 250 SWB and a Porsche Carrera Abarth GTL.
1962
1962 Grand Prix of Angola
Driver: Manuel Nogueira Pinto
Participation is confirmed but no finishing result has been established.
1962-06-03
ACP Cup, Circuito de Lordelo do Ouro
Driver: Manuel Nogueira PintoDNF
Car qualified second behind the race-winning Ferrari 250 SWB before retiring from the event.
1962-09-01
Montes Claros Race
Driver: Manuel Nogueira Pinto1st
Started fourth on a tight street circuit; opposition included a Ferrari 250 SWB, two 550 Spyders, a 718 RSK, and a Maserati 300S.
1963
Montes Claros Race
Driver: Manuel Nogueira Pinto1st
Second consecutive victory at this venue; the race was run in wet conditions.
1963
6th City of Luanda Cup
Driver: Manuel Nogueira Pinto1st
Support race ahead of the Angola Grand Prix; defeated another E-Type and a Ferrari 250 SWB.
1963
1963 Grand Prix of Angola
Driver: Manuel Nogueira PintoOutside top 10
Field included Lucien Bianchi in an Ecurie Francorchamps Drogo-bodied 250 SWB, a 250 GTO, and race winner Hermann Müller in a Porsche 718 RSK.

Maintenance & restoration

2011
Restoration
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt rebuild returning the car to its original specification Opalescent Silver Grey over Dark Blue; included bare-metal respray and full interior retrim. Original competition features such as brake-cooling apertures in the bonnet bulkhead were deliberately preserved. Minimal panel replacement was needed due to low levels of corrosion.
Completed in time for the 50th anniversary E-Type celebrations.
2011Engine rebuild
Julian Godfrey Engineering
Engine, gearbox, and differential were all overhauled as part of the broader restoration programme.
Workshop located in East Sussex and described as highly regarded for this type of work.
2011
Modification
Cooling system upgraded with an aluminium radiator and header tank; Coopercraft brake components fitted during the restoration.
Carried out concurrently with the full restoration.

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