1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster

Chassis No. 879458 Engine No. RA21369 Body No. R6197Jaguar's iconic E-Type needs nary an introduction. Long included on lists of the greatest and most beautiful cars ever produced, it is a cornerstone of the car collecting hobby-with great examples found in the world's finest collections and the garages of everyday enthusiasts. While opinions differ on which of the many variants is best to drive, most agree that the Series 1 cars, with their covered headlamps and clean lines are the purist of the lot. Jaguar continually refined the E-Type throughout production, with myriad variations among the series. One of the enduring favorites is the Roadster, or Open Two-Seater (OTS) variant, which offers the quintessential open air British Roadster experience.This 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster is finished in Opalescent Maroon with a tan canvas soft top over a Biscuit leather interior. Its Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate shows that the OTS E-Type was completed on 17 May 1963, finished as it is presented today but originally sporting a Maroon interior with Sand top, and was distributed by Jaguar Cars New York. In 1982, Northern California native Steve Gasser discovered the car in San Rafael, which he believed had not been run in 17 years. Gasser spent the early 1990s restoring the E-Type's mechanicals himself with the expert guidance of Jaguar expert Steve Gordon at Vintage Auto Services, however leaving the bodywork and paint to local professional shops.Now fully refurbished, the Jaguar was featured in the May 1997 issue of Road & Track, in which Peter Egan drove it alongside a bronze coupe. Gasser parted ways with his now magazine-famous Jaguar in 2002, and the car passed between a lucky few caretakers on the East Coast through the 2010s. During this time, it received additional attention from classic Jaguar specialists, including a suspension overhaul, seat reupholstery, and clutch replacement in 2013. The car has also been enhanced with Koni shocks, LED headlights, an SNG Barratt exhaust system, Lempert steering wheel, Auto Sound digital stereo, and Pertronix ignition.This refined E-Type has remained with the consignor since 2022 and is now offered with a tool roll, original steering wheel, and a restoration binder. Together with its numbers matching engine, decades of documented expert care and rejuvenation, subtle upgrades, and its own magazine feature, this 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster offers the complete package. It is an ideal companion for vintage touring enthusiasts looking to experience their own motoring adventures worth writing about.