2003-03-04 00:28:36 | Leslie Dow writes:

She's home! Engine sounds great. Lots of original parts. Can't wait to get her driving.

2003-04-07 09:05:05 | paul wigton writes:

Glad to see you gettin' started on Bot! As for your comment about purple, I'll u/l pix of Tweety, my 63 FHC. Has been Gremlin Grape purple since 1970! Go for it, if that's what you enjoy!

2003-06-02 22:48:00 | Leslie writes:

Rec'd the heritage cert. So I have added the additional info.

2003-06-08 17:38:29 | David Gormley writes:

Looks like Bronze was in in Sept. 1961. My Heritage cert. says my (now white) E was bronze also. Noted that my bidy no. (1846) wasn't far from yours.

My car was restored in early '80's - in need of the 'get it out of the garage and do it again' restoration now. Looks like you're in the out of the garage state.

2004-02-21 12:02:34 | Leslie Dow writes:

Have found a body/paint guy! That was one of the biggest hurdles. Car is currently being media blasrted and wll then go directly to Body shop. Est date of completion for the paint and body repair is early-mid summer.

Engine is ready to go back together. With more room in the garage (now that the car is out for body repair) I can now start the parts cleaning/painting and replacing process in earnest. It is possible that we could be driving within a year!

2004-02-21 12:23:11 | Leslie Dow writes:

I will update these commnets as interesting facts are learned. For example: flat floor, welded louvre bonnet with interior latches, headlight buckets are grey, engine has pumpkin gold head, round fluid bottles. The Bronze color was evidently a special order and only 4 LHD OTS were made in that color in 1962(according to P. Porters book)

2006-04-03 15:44:23 | Leslie Dow writes:

She is about 1/2 way through the body work. Just saw her today. Will post pictures when I get them. The shop is removing all the body putty and welding a lot of thepanels. We replaced the drivers side door as well as rear quarter panel. It is estimated that they body work will be done before the end of this year.

2006-08-22 21:24:08 | Leslie Dow writes:

More progress. The shop ran into trouble with the nose repair. They are back on track now. Here are some photos taken last week

2013-05-31 00:28:56 | Leslie Dow writes:

Well, the baby is finally getting some work done! We've taken her to Images in San Jose and they are going to complete the restoration! My son, Philip is now co-owner with me so this has become a true family project. I could not be more pleased.

2013-06-08 01:22:50 | Leslie Dow writes:

So, we are well and truly launched. I'm posting all the restoration pix at www.61etype.org. How I ever got that domain is a Jaguar Miracle. I'll head back here and post key images.
8)
Leslie

2013-06-09 16:54:15 | pauls writes:

Congrats Leslie!!!!

2013-10-19 15:41:46 | Leslie writes:

Thanks, Paul!
I'm pretty excited. I just posted a couple more pictures today. The upholstery is going in and it should be rolling soon!

2013-10-24 15:16:10 | doc writes:

Love the color..glad u stayed original......now make sure you drive it alot!!!

2013-10-25 01:30:32 | Stefan writes:

I just can simpy agree with doc: this is the most beautiful and rarest colour on E-Types.

It is so elegant and if chosen the right one (brightness, not too orange, not too golden, not too brown) it sparkels in the sun a bit golden, but dark in the shadow. Simply sensational!

Good luck!

2014-01-04 21:41:18 | Leslie Dow writes:

Just heard the engine turn over. We pick her up next week!

2014-01-04 21:41:31 | Leslie Dow writes:

Tjhanks for all the nice comments. We really struggled with the color choice but decided to stay true to the car. She is nearly done (less than I week!!!!) and is a totally beautiful car. Many many thanks to Dave, Rich, Desi and the whole crew at Images in Campbell, CA. I cannot wait to get her home.

--Leslie

2014-01-20 11:57:07 | Phil Johnston writes:

Minor update for the current top color (black) and restoration grade (it is definitely a very nice driver)

2014-07-05 18:35:20 | Mark \"Moeregaard\" writes:

Wonderful job! I've always liked the bronze.

2015-11-05 00:30:50 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 1/16

goodingco.com/vehicle/1961-jaguar-e-type-series-i-3-8-litre-roadster-5/

Auction description:

Lot 000

Scottsdale 2016

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster

Show-Quality Restoration

Estimate: $275,000 - $350,000

Chassis: 875657

Engine: R1968-9

Lot 007

Assembly of this E-Type was completed on October 2, 1961, and the vehicle was sold new in Los Angeles. Two documented owners enjoyed the E-Type before it was acquired by the consignor, who had grown up with a similar car. Carefully disassembled, the car was stored for several years until Ferguson performed the concours-level restoration that was completed in 2013.

Ferguson rebuilt the car from the ground up, painstakingly recording and photographing the process. Accompanying videos illustrate the car's story and depict the extraordinary attention to detail the vehicle received. The drivetrain, body, and chassis were expertly restored; the coachwork was repainted in the original bronze, and a correct Tan leather interior (which can more accurately be described as "pumpkin") and a new black canvas top were added.

To enhance the E-Type's driving experience, larger front disc brakes were fitted, and a five-speed synchromesh gearbox was installed; the original four-speed Moss gearbox is included with the sale. Today, the car rides on new wire wheels, and the electronic ignition system has been changed to negative ground.

The enthusiastic owners of this Roadster attest that the vast majority of the car's original parts were used in the restoration, including headlight covers, glass windscreen, fluid bottle, nuts, bolts, and washers. This elegant E-Type has been driven a mere 1,500 miles since the restoration's completion but has gained many admirers along the way.

2016-02-02 21:21:56 | xke7 writes:

SOLD $260,000

2016-02-16 01:37:46 | John S writes:

Congratulations, Leslie on a job well done. You owned it, restored it, and sold it to someone who might do it again in 25 yrs. We should all be so lucky with our cars.

2016-04-06 05:31:09 | Anonymous writes:

Leslie, email me. Who bought it? I owned the car from 1975 until Leslie bought it.

2020-12-25 07:33:05 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 1/21

rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21/arizona/lots/r0056-1961-jaguar-e-type-series-1-3 ...

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster

RM | Sotheby's - ARIZONA 22 JANUARY 2021

Chassis No. 875657

Engine No. R 1968-9

Cylinder Head No. R 1968-9

An early flat-floor, welded-bonnet-louver Series 1 E-Type

California car; Numbers-matching engine, cylinder head per accompanying JDHT certificate

Concours-quality frame-off restoration in factory-correct Opalescent Bronze by marque expert Dave Ferguson

Upgraded with larger brakes, five-speed transmission; four-speed Moss gearbox accompanies sale

Please note that this lot is titled as a 1962.

According to its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this left-hand drive Series 1 E-Type was built on 2 October 1961 and dispatched to New York on 12 October 1961. Exactly 30 days later, it was delivered to its first owner in Los Angeles, California. Three subsequent owners have had possession of the car prior to the consigner purchasing it in 2016: the second owner purchased it in the late 1960s, Kirk Fry of Palo Alto, California took ownership in 1976, and the fourth owner in 2002.

A frame-off concours-level restoration was completed by well-known restorer and marque expert Dave Ferguson in 2013. Both video-recorded and photographed, proof is provided for the exhaustive detail of the work completed. Refinished in its original color of Opalescent Bronze, it was also fitted with a striking new leather interior matching the beige original (aptly described as “pumpkin”). Rather than being re-fitted with the original fawn color top, the Jaguar was enhanced with a new black convertible hood.

Larger front disc brakes were installed to improved stopping power along with a five-speed manual gearbox for effortless cruising. The correct four-speed Moss gearbox is, however, included with the sale. New wire wheels were mounted, and an electronic ignition changed to negative ground was also added. It is noteworthy that the majority of the car’s original parts were used in the restoration, including headlamp covers, windscreen, fluid reservoir, nuts, bolts and washers to maintain authenticity.

2021-02-24 04:55:43 | Clive writes:

Car sold for US$224,000