2004-01-22 11:06:37 | pauls writes:

Info gathered with permission from:
www.hendi.nl/xke/main.htm

This roadster was completed on April 14, and was reportedly Lofty England's car. In 1991 it was said to still exist, although in a dissembled state.

2004-04-21 10:10:17 | Anonymous writes:

Comment found on web dated March '03:

850004 was sold by Coy's in December, for almost exactly the same price as 850007 earlier in the year. £55,700 before buyers premium and VAT, compared with £57,000 for 850007.

I made contact with the owner in St. Helen's (not Ireland) who had had the car in his garage since 1974. At this time he and his dad ran a small back street garage, and 850004 was brought in for restoration, but the owner ran out of funds and disappeared, so the father and son team kept the car in payment of work done but not paid. When I saw the car in 1996 it was in pieces, as it had been since 1974. The monocoque was in one corner, with new sills welded in, in primer, the engine, gear box and carburettors on a truckle trolley still fresh from the '74 restoration but having never turned, and the rest of the car except the bonnet, which had been scrapped, in various boxes distributed about the place. I made efforts to buy the car, but we couldn't agree on a price, and I could well understand his reluctance since his dad let go a partially restored GT40 just before the boom of the late '80s and lost a fortune. So there it stayed, tantalisingly within reach but out of my price range – until now. With regards to the registration number – 1600 RW – I made contact with Swansea and it was reattributable and was last on the E-Type, so mention of a mini is somewhat spurious. And no, the car never went to Ireland either.

2004-11-09 09:27:44 | pauls writes:

Additional comments about this car sale found at:
www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3500.asp

Auction Preview: Coys at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London 5th December 2002
- by Charis Whitcombe
As Tony Dron pointed out in Classic Driver earlier this month, the Jaguar E-type of 1961 is, for many people, THE classic sportscar. Among all the production E-types in existence, however, the righthand drive Roadster for sale by Coys on 5th December, chassis 850004, has to be among the most interesting for sheer provenance – although it is a genuine barn-find, fit only for the most dedicated restorer.

This car is not only the first E-type ever sold, it was also bought new by none other than Jaguar’s own Competitions Manager, F.R.W. “Lofty” England. It was subsequently sold to “Tommy” Sopwith and then to Mike Parkes. Also at the Coys sale on 5th December is E-type chassis number 6 – once the possession of motorcycle champion Mike Hailwood.

2004-12-27 21:39:32 | Anonymous writes:

I was one of the two last bidders on this car. It was in awful shape however it had the correct dataplate motor trans and tub. The firewall was usable but not much else of the body. It was missing a number of really early parts which will be hard but not impossible to find. Richard Smith will know where to look.

2005-01-12 10:40:28 | pauls writes:

Additional info found on this car at:

www.forbes.com/2002/12/03/cx_mf_1203vow.html

The following is the text from the Forbes article dated 12/2/2002. The black and white photo accompanied the aticle.

Based on the Le Mans-winning design of Jaguar D-Type racers, few cars have ever caused the sensation that the Jaguar E-Type did when it made its debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show.

The E-Type combined a potent 3.8-liter straight-six motor with an all-independent suspension. But far more important was one of the most elegant, sexy designs ever devised: Sure it could top 140 mph--but it looked dynamite standing still!

It also didn't hurt that Jaguar underpriced its rivals from Aston Martin and Ferrari by a huge margin.

That this particular car--chassis 850004, the first production E-type sold--has been rediscovered is quite a triumph as well. Jaguar was careful about who it allowed to buy the early examples off the production line. Hence, the list of early owners reads like a who's who of not just the motoring world, with prominent racing drivers, but members of the aristocracy and movie stars alike.

The first time out on the track for the E-Type of course led to a victory at the hands of legendary world champion Le Mans driver Graham Hill.

The first two E-Types were prototypes, and therefore crushed. Number three was another car pressed into use by the factory; it became the road test car, being driven by all the major motoring magazines of the period--and then became Jaguar's own show car.

The first car to be sold to a private owner--the one in the image above and to be sold by Coys of Kensington in London this Thursday--was originally owned by Jaguar's competitions manager, the highly respected F.R.W. 'Lofty' England. He used the car on the road and in several apprentices' club events, but the car was also used for numerous publicity events. It eventually changed owners several times and finally fell into the hands of its current seller, who for the last 25 years has meant to finish a lengthy restoration, but never has.

Thus it remains dismantled, awaiting assembly and full restoration. Odd, you might think, that anyone would pay for a defunct car, yes? Well the third production E-Type, also in a state of total disrepair, sold for over $100,000 earlier this year.

Forbes Fact

Early E-Types had a very annoying flaw: a shallow foot well that greatly reduced legroom. The lot of these first cars came to be known as "flat-floor" XKEs.

Interestingly, however, both convertible and coupe versions of these earlier vintages still garner a decent bid ($25,000 to $50,000, depending on condition) even though later, 4.2-liter cars were said to be far better.

The bigger, 4.2-liter cars had more torque, but, just as important, from 1964 on, the E-Type had much better brakes than the original car and a far easier-to-shift gearbox. Nevertheless, 1964 to 1967 E-Types don't cost more at auction as you might expect.

2005-08-17 07:00:05 | Robert writes:

sold at Coys London 5th Dec 2002 hammer price incl prem £63783 rEG # 1600 RW Cond 5 year 1961

2007-09-07 07:57:06 | pauls writes:

Car is the subject of a current ('07) restoration series in "The E-Type" magazine. Car is now bright red with buscuit interior.

2014-04-30 13:11:06 | pauls writes:

Car restored by CMC:
www.classic-motor-cars.co.uk/restorations/%E2%80%98lofty%E2%80%99-england%E2%80% ...

'Lofty' England's E-type - Chassis Number 4
'Lofty' England was the legendary Jaguar Team Manager who masterminded Jaguar's five Le Mans wins in the '50s, before becoming Managing Director of Jaguar Cars. He hand-picked the first owners of the very early E-Types and allocated himself the fourth right hand drive roadster.

Classic Motor Cars carried out a total renovation of this famous car, including rebuilding the XK engine, restoring the bodywork, painting, assembling and retrimming the car.

2022-01-12 11:25:14 | david writes:

just watching the edgar wallace mystery theatre man at the carlton tower on talking pictures tv this car is in this film

2023-06-28 09:06:23 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 9/23

www.goodingco.com/lot/1961-jaguar-e-type-series-i-38-litre-roadster-1d/

Auction description:

2023 London Auction1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster

Chassis 850004

(Estimate: £900,000 – £1,200,000)

An Extremely Important and Historic Jaguar as the First E-Type Ever Sold

The Personal Vehicle of Legendary Le Mans Team Manager and Jaguar Managing Director Frank “Lofty” England

The Fourth Right-Hand-Drive E-Type Roadster Built and Used for Press Events

Retains Matching-Numbers Engine per JDHT Certificate and Original Registration Number

Masterful Restoration by the Renowned Jaguar Specialists Classic Motor Cars Ltd.

The 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster on offer here, chassis 850004, is the very first production E-Type sold. Its first owner was none other than F.R.W. “Lofty” England, Jaguar’s legendary racing team manager who oversaw five Le Mans victories. Lofty allocated the earliest cars to their first owners, and picked 850004 for himself. Lofty’s E-Type was famously pictured with racing driver Graham Hill, just after he had claimed the inaugural win for the model at Oulton Park. Today, this legendary E-Type Roadster comes to auction impeccably maintained, having received an expert-level restoration by marque specialists Classic Motor Cars (CMC).

The first two numbered cars were prototypes, solely used for internal testing; chassis 850003, registered 77 RW, was famously dispatched to the Geneva Motor Show and, following an all-night drive, provided rides to reporters who were beguiled by the E-Type. Lofty allocated himself the next right-hand-drive Roadster, chassis 850004, the car offered here. Famously registered as 1600 RW, it was the very first production E-Type to be sold.

Lofty drove 850004 as his personal car and loaned it on several occasions for press coverage and publicity events, and it appeared in numerous print articles in 1961. It became a familiar sight in various racing paddocks, and racer Graham Hill was photographed with it, wearing the day’s laurels of a 1st Place victory in another E-Type. Lofty later sold the Roadster to his friend Thomas E.B. “Tommy” Sopwith, founder of Equipe Endeavour, the British Saloon Car Championship team. Sopwith drove the Jaguar for several years before selling it to noted race driver Michael Parkes. By 1971, 1600 RW was in need of reconditioning, and was taken to K.S. Mather Engineering in St. Helens, UK, for extensive work. Mr. Mather later assumed ownership in 1975, and it was to remain in his shop in a disassembled and deteriorated state until it was sold to the current owner in 2002. Soon thereafter, 1600 RW was entrusted to the renowned Classic Motor Cars Ltd. in Shropshire, UK, for a painstaking multiyear, concours-level restoration in its as-delivered colors. Lost parts were sourced and the bonnet was remade to the original specification; no area of the car was overlooked.

In March 2021, Lofty’s shining, Indigo Blue Roadster took part in a ceremonial drive to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, and the famed unveiling of the E-Type. Today, this immensely important Jaguar appears as it did when the public first laid eyes on it. As the first E-Type ever sold, the significance of 1600 RW to collectors and enthusiasts of the Jaguar marque is beyond measure.

2023-09-02 14:46:37 | xke7 writes:

Lot 22

2023 |

London Auction

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster

SOLD £911,250

Estimate

£900,000 - £1,200,000

Chassis

850004

Engine

R1018-9

Car Highlights

An Extremely Important and Historic Jaguar as the First E-Type Ever Sold

The Personal Vehicle of Legendary Le Mans Team Manager and Jaguar Managing Director Frank “Lofty” England

The Fourth Right-Hand-Drive E-Type Roadster Built and Used for Press Events

Retains Matching-Numbers Engine per JDHT Certificate and Original Registration Number

Masterful Restoration by the Renowned Jaguar Specialists Classic Motor Cars Ltd.

Technical Specs

3,781 CC DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine

Three SU HD8 Carburetors

265 BHP at 5,500 RPM

4-Speed Manual Gearbox

4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Dunlop Disc Brakes, Inboard Rear

Front Independent-Wishbone Suspension with Torsion Bars and Telescopic Dampers

Rear Independent Suspension with Coil Springs and Telescopic Dampers

Have a similar car that you would like to put up for an auction?



*

UK V5

See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.




“If you want a car to retain its individuality, then it has to be something produced by individuals whose job is that and that alone, and you have got to have people whose life has been steeped in the Jaguar image. Otherwise, if you bring in someone from the outside you start to produce something entirely different, and in a very short period of time you lose that image.” Frank “Lofty” England

The story of Jaguar’s meteoric rise to racing fame and success in the 1950s is well known, posting an incredible five overall wins at Le Mans with the immortal C- and D-Type race cars. The invaluable experience gleaned from such success on the track, under dedicated guidance and management, can create an opportunity to build truly groundbreaking road cars. Such is the case with Jaguar’s E-Type, introduced in early 1961. The effect that the E-Type had on the motoring public around the world is difficult to overstate. It truly was a civilized, road-going version of Jaguar’s Le Mans-dominating D-Type that had been made approachable enough for most any driver, capable of 150 mph straight out of the showroom; and it was, for many, one of the most beautiful automobiles ever put into production.

Sir William Lyons’ leadership allowed Jaguar to flourish. He had appointed gifted engineer, pilot, and racing technical wizard Frank R.W. “Lofty” England to head the company’s racing department. Applying his experience working with Tim Birkin’s team and the Blower Bentley cars, as well as Prince Bira’s White Mouse Stable, in preparing his ERA race cars, Lofty’s management of the Jaguar Works team is worthy of careful study to this day. He ran the team with hard-nosed authority and discipline, and demanded strict adherence to his orders from his staff and drivers.

Upon the release of the E-Type in 1961, which was the runaway hit of the Geneva Motor Show that year, Jaguar found itself in the spotlight of the world’s automotive stage. By this time, with his racing days behind him, Lofty was Jaguar’s assistant managing director under Sir Lyons. Seizing the importance of the model’s launch, Lofty handpicked the first fortunate owners of the E-Type, including high-profile race drivers and well-known celebrities.

The first two numbered cars were prototypes, solely used for internal testing; chassis 850003, registered 77 RW, was famously dispatched to the Geneva Motor Show and, following an all-night drive, provided rides to reporters who were beguiled by the E-Type. Lofty allocated himself the next right-hand-drive Roadster, chassis 850004, the car offered here. Famously registered as 1600 RW, it was the very first production E-Type to be sold.

Lofty drove 850004 as his personal car and loaned it on several occasions for press coverage and publicity events, and it appeared in numerous print articles in 1961. It became a familiar sight in various racing paddocks, and racer Graham Hill was photographed with it, wearing the day’s laurels of a 1st Place victory in another E-Type. Lofty later sold the Roadster to his friend Thomas E.B. “Tommy” Sopwith, founder of Equipe Endeavour, the British Saloon Car Championship team. Sopwith drove the Jaguar for several years before selling it to noted race driver Michael Parkes. By 1971, 1600 RW was in need of reconditioning, and was taken to K.S. Mather Engineering in St. Helens, UK, for extensive work. Mr. Mather later assumed ownership in 1975, and it was to remain in his shop in a disassembled and deteriorated state until it was sold to the current owner in 2002. Soon thereafter, 1600 RW was entrusted to the renowned Classic Motor Cars Ltd. in Shropshire, UK, for a painstaking multiyear, concours-level restoration in its as-delivered colors. Lost parts were sourced and the bonnet was remade to the original specification; no area of the car was overlooked.

In March 2021, Lofty’s shining, Indigo Blue Roadster took part in a ceremonial drive to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, and the famed unveiling of the E-Type. Today, this immensely important Jaguar appears as it did when the public first laid eyes on it. As the first E-Type ever sold, the significance of 1600 RW to collectors and enthusiasts of the Jaguar marque is beyond measure.

2023-09-06 17:16:50 | Capt RD writes:

A 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster hammered for £911,250 ($1,139,204 U.S.) at the Gooding & Company auction during the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, setting a new world record sale for all production E-Types.

2024-03-04 01:58:18 | Jeremy B writes:

Erm…

How on earth did the 6’5” Lofty England manage to drive this flat-floor car ?