1965 Jaguar XKE E-Type Coupe

Built on December 7th of 164, this 4.2 Liter Fixed Head Coupe (FHC) was shipped from Coventry to the U.S. East Coast distributor, Jaguar Cars New York.

The E-Type was purchased by the current owner's family in 2003. At the time of its purchase, the Carmine Red Coupe with a black interior, was considered a 'nice driver.' The owner took the decision to slowly restore the car piece by piece, as a full restoration was, at the time, out of the question as it would require too much time and a lot of time and money the family did not have.

Fate intervened one afternoon in 2005. The owner was driving the E-Type through the canyons in and around Los Angeles when another driver who was talking on their cell phone turned left in front of him. The owner had no time to brake and the two cars collided. The E-Type looked like 'a smashed red accordion.'

The owner's collision coverage allowed them to fix and restore their E-Type. After an intense six-month restoration by Steve's Jaguar in Canoga Park, CA, the E-Type was 'better than new.' The completed car was painted Carmen Red and the interior had already been changed to the biscuit color it is today. Since the completion of the restoration this E-Type has taken many first-class wins at local concours events and in 2011, it took home a first in class win at the Ocean Avenue auto show in Carmel-by-the-sea.

This E-Type also starred in two episodes of AMC's Emmy award-winning series, Mad Men.

At launch, Jaguar named their Fixed Head Coupe simply 'GT.' The 1965 model preceded the longer 2+2 of 1966. In terms of good looks, those shorter-by-nine inches made the difference between handsome and a little frumpy. Of course, 1965 was still Series 1; still the Moss 4-speed gearbox with no synchromesh on 1st; now vinyl and leather. And a single (and simple) 'Jaguar' badge on the 'tailgate.' 'Hatchback' was not a term yet in the lexicon. All E-Type Jaguars featured independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and near 150 mph top speed.