1961 Jaguar E-Type Semi-Lightweight Coupe

Chassis S875027 is the third of the 'Cunningham Three' the other two being (875015, 875026). It along with the other two was delivered to Cunningham as a group. It was built as a standard steel production car on April 24 1961 and originally registered 9023 DU in the UK. Jaguar factory records indicate it as a 'demo'. The car was heavily modified towards light-weight E specifications. It was fitted with a D type wide-angle cylinder head, and many body panels were aluminum, including the hood, hardtop and truck lid. It was reportedly fitted with an iron block, wide angle head, Weber carburetors, aluminum headlamp covers, a thick lower windshield chrome strip, Jaguar competition wire wheels, an auxiliary gas tank over the rear axle, a brake vent under the rear license plate, a radiator blind, and Mk IX front brakes. In 1973 the car was for sale from Colorado. Around 1974 it was returned to the UK, where it was sold to an owner who had it for about 15 years. Between 1988 and 1993 it changed hands at least three times, but apparently remained in the UK. In 1993 this car was described by Paul Skilleter as 'surly one of the most original early sixties racing cars' The car has been reported as having extensive racing history in the 1962-1963 periods. Including Daytona in February 1962, and possibly in the 1962 Le Mans test day. Past Owners: Possible other race history: GKCC 1999 1963 Michael Burtt 1993 Daytona Lynx Motors 1993 1963 Sebring 1963 Road America

The introduction of the road-going Jaguar E-Type in 1961 was a technical and stylistic tour de force. Even Enzo Ferrari declared the E-Type the most beautiful car ever made. Boasting a twin-cam, 3.8-liter, six-cylinder engine with disc brakes and a semi-monocoque construction, the car was born to race.

Briggs Cunningham ordered three of the Lightweight E-Types directly from Jaguar in 1961. This car is the third of the three and one of the earliest left-hand drive E-Types in existence. After arriving at Cunningham's West Palm Beach garage, it was modified extensively by Cunningham's friend and team manager, Alfred Momo, and it continued to be developed throughout the early 1960s. Developed for international competition, modifying and lightening the initially all-steel car to achieve ultimate success in the world's most significant races at the hands of some of the greatest drivers of the day, including Walt Hansgen, John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham. This Jaguar was one of the cars that challenged the Ferrari 250 GTOs, and at the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring in 1962, this car, driven by Briggs Cunningham and John Fitch, famously won its class. The car later finished fifth in class at Daytona in the hands of Walt Hansgen before being shipped to the Le Mans test weekend in April 1962. Its final races were in SCCA events in the United States during 1963. In 1974 it returned to the United Kingdom, where it has been carefully maintained ever since.