1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Fixed Head Coupé Race Car

885985racingUnited Kingdom

Engine: 4.2L DOHC inline-six, triple Weber DCOE carburetors, ~300 bhp
Colour: Metallic silver with red double stripes

A 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe, chassis 885985, originally delivered in Opalescent Gunmetal over Red as a 3.8-litre US-specification car via Cars in New York. Discovered derelict in the early 2000s, it was comprehensively rebuilt by Classic Showcase of Oceanside, California, into a dual-purpose road-legal racer inspired by the Works Lightweights, receiving a performance-rebuilt 4.2-litre XJ6 engine, five-speed Tremec gearbox, roll cage, fuel cell, and aluminium bonnet. Subsequently further prepared for track use by Motorcars, Inc. of Connecticut.

Ownership

2023-09-29Auction sale
Sold US$117,500
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1962 →Factory delivery
First retail owner via Cars in New York
partial documentation
US-specification car delivered new from the factory with a Coventry registration, likely for a UK tour before export to the United States through a New York importer.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Classic Showcase
partial documentation
Oceanside, California marque specialist that discovered the car in derelict condition in the early 2000s and carried out a ground-up rebuild into a road-legal, track-focused racer inspired by Works Lightweights.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Messenger Collection
partial documentation
Subsequent owner who commissioned further track-preparation work by Motorcars, Inc. of Plainville, Connecticut.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Classic Showcase
Full ground-up rebuild of the bodyshell, carried out after the car was found in derelict condition. Work included stripping bumpers and unnecessary trim, fitting an aluminium bonnet, Lexan windows, racing seat, multi-point harnesses, forward-braced roll bar, onboard fire suppression system, and a Fuel Safe fuel cell. The car was refinished in metallic silver with red double stripes.
Located in Oceanside, California. The build was conceived as a dual-purpose road-legal racer inspired by the E-Type Works Lightweights.
—Engine rebuild
Classic Showcase
Original 3.8-litre unit replaced by an XJ6-sourced 4.2-litre straight-six rebuilt for performance, incorporating high-compression pistons (11:1), ported cylinder head with enlarged valves, and uprated camshafts. Triple Weber DCOE carburettors, stainless steel headers, and a sports exhaust were fitted, with output estimated at around 300 bhp.
Drivetrain upgrades also included a Quartermaster clutch, lightweight alloy flywheel, and a five-speed Tremec gearbox.
—Mechanical
Motorcars, Inc.
Additional track-focused preparation and fine-tuning carried out following acquisition by the Messenger Collection, to further optimise the car for circuit use.
Workshop located in Plainville, Connecticut.

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