1970 Le Mans SOLAR movie productions compound, 1970 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 litre roadster to US specification, estimate €250,000-350,000 (No Reserve)
The now Swiss-registered 1970 4.2 litre roadster will be offered with its original period UK registration number plates, carrying an estimate of €250,000 – 350,000 at No Reserve. The left-hand drive unrestored US-specification car has also retained its original silver over black colour scheme.
Owner Fredy Zurbrügg was a young chef when he was approached by the movie's production manager, Hubert Fröhlich, to work on a previous production of the sixth Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, filmed partly in Switzerland.
Fröhlich was very pleased with Fredy and approached him to work on his next production of Le Mans, filmed in the famous town, where the crew established its own compound known as 'Solar Village'. Fredy brought his own kitchen from St. Gallen which was soon catering for 800 cast and crew members, including the lead Steve McQueen for whom he invented a special dish, the 'Steve Steak'.
When interviewed for the book 2017 Our Le Mans,(as well as that year's documentary DVD Remember Le Mans), which offers personal insights into the filming by supporting actor Siegfried Rauch and other members of cast and crew, Fredy states in a dedicated chapter on the story of the car that his encounters with the leading actor were 'always friendly.'
'I decided on the silver Jaguar, a convertible E-Type Series II with only 600 miles on the speedo. It was a US version because it was supposed to be shipped back to America.'
At the time, the 27-year-old Fredy could not drive but obtained his driving licence in Le Mans 'on my second attempt on 17 October 1970.'
Fredy took his sportscar back to Switzerland and, at the border, told the customs officer that 'I had the Jaguar and two crates of cognac to declare.'
In his ownership over the past 52 years, the Jaguar has been used sparingly, as testified by its low odometer reading of less than 46,000 miles, rather than as a daily driver.
'For many years I had no idea that I owned something so valuable,' said the now nearly 80-year old Fredy, adding that it is time for the car to be enjoyed by a new custodian.
Offered for the first time ever since 1970, in totally original condition – complete with its authentic British registration plates and photograph from its time on set - this Jaguar presents one of the last untapped links to Le Mans, the passion project of Steve McQueen.
Photo credit: Bonhams
posted on conceptcarz.com
An American-spec Jaguar E-Type Series II, delivered new to the SOLAR Movie Productions set of the iconic film Le Mans, will be unveiled in Paris, at the preview for the Bonhams Grandes Marques à Paris Sale on 3 February. The car is to be offered in the Bonhams Monaco Sale, during the 2022 Monaco Historic Grand Prix, on 13 May.
According to Fredy's account, this friendliness extended to a generous gift, when the actor asked him to 'choose one' of the famous petrolhead's 'personal fleet, a Jaguar, a Porsche 9ll, a Mercedes Pagoda SL.'
posted on conceptcarz.com
