Jaguar 3.8 'Semi-Lightweight' Roadster (1964)

The Jaguar E-Type is a British automobile legend, manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. A combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing ensured the car was an instant legend. In period, a Ferrari cost three times more and supplied less horse power which established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring. The model became a great success for Jaguar; at its release, Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever made".

Given the sophistication of the E-Type’s monocoque design and its proven competitive engine, it’s no doubt that the E-Type was a potent racer throughout the sixties. The E-Type’s first race came only a month after it’s unveiling at the Geneva motor show at Oulton Park in Cheshire. “ECD 400” - one of the first E-types delivered to Jaguar dealer Tommy Sopwith - and won the 25-lap race at the hands of Graham Hill from the Aston Martin DB4 of Innes Ireland, with Salvadori third. The Ferrari 250 GTs were fourth and fifth.

Competition E-Types today, generally fall into three categories, the early cars which are built to Homologation 34 Specification easily distinguished by their wire wheels, bumpers, soft top hoods and SU carbs. And the cars built to “Homologation 100” specification which can be grouped into two distinct categories. The Lightweight E-Types and Semi-Lightweight cars.

The silhouette of these cars is much more aggressive without bumpers, on wide cast magnesium wheels, aluminium hardtops and often large diff coolers protruding from the rear bodywork. The Lightweight E-Types were made by Jaguar entirely from aluminium, whilst the Semi) lightweights retain a steel chassis rear bodywork and bulkheads, whilst the bonnet, doors, and boot are made from thin aluminium. Mechanically the cars are highly modified from their road-going cousins and in this form are only matched on track by the mighty AC Cobras.

This Semi-Lightweight was built from a 1964 RHD 3.8 E-Type Convertible by Tester Engineering to most competitive Semi-Lightweight Specifications. The car was completed in around 2008 and has been raced by just two owners since. The car has been fettled fine tuned by the who’s who of the Historic Racing fraternity. Within this timeframe well in excess of £300,000 has been spent on the car to bring it to the front running specification it is in today. Following a racing incident in 2012 the car was totally stripped and rebuilt following which the car went on to race successfully in the UK and indeed all over Europe with appearances at the Le Mans Classic and on the Tour Auto.

The current owner acquired the car in 2015 and over the past few seasons has yet further pushed the development of the car with engine, gearbox and axle rebuilds. It is noted in the file for the car, with dyno sheets that the engine in this car is extremely strong indeed. In the hands of the current owner the car has often won its class in the highly competitive Jaguar Classic Challenge and has seen itself on the overall podium a number of times in other series too. Offered as a proven, previous race winning car with a sensible spares package including spare wheels, two Files bursting with set up info, dyno sheets and invoices, and with Full FIA papers valid until 2024 this is a very exciting opportunity to join some of Historic Motorsport’s most exciting grids in 2020, including:

Masters Gentleman Drivers
Peter Auto Sixties Endurance
Jaguar Classic Challenge (including a dedicated race at Le Mans)
The GT and Sports Car Cup
& The Spa 6 Hours

This fantastic competition E-Type is on the button, ready to race and available to view at our showrooms just outside London immediately.