1961 Jaguar E-Type ‘Flat Floor’ Roadster

Estimate: £70,000 - £90,000*

Reg No: XSY 848

Chassis No: 850 503 MOT: Exempt

The Jaguar E-Type Series 1 ‘Flat Floor’ Roadster was introduced in 1961 and is widely regarded as one of the most significant sports cars of its era. Designed by Malcolm Sayer, the car’s sleek and aerodynamic body shape was both stylish and functional, allowing for improved handling and performance at high speeds. The oval-shaped grille and low-slung profile contributed to its striking appearance, while the use of lightweight materials helped to improve its speed and agility.

The car was powered by a 3.8-litre, inline-six engine that produced 265hp and was paired with a four-speed manual transmission. This engine was notable for its use of an aluminium cylinder head, which reduced the car’s overall weight and improved its performance.

One of the most distinctive features of the Series 1 ‘Flat Floor’ Roadster was its flat floor design, which provided additional legroom for passengers and was only present in the earliest production models. This design was achieved by lowering the floor of the car and relocating the pedals, creating a more comfortable and spacious interior. This unique feature has contributed to the car’s historical significance and remains a sought-after characteristic for collectors and enthusiasts.

Today, the Jaguar E-Type Series 1 ‘Flat Floor’ Roadster is highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike for its timeless design, outstanding performance, and significance in the history of automotive engineering. Despite its limited production and rarity, the car remains a symbol of British automotive excellence and continues to capture the attention of those who appreciate fine automobiles.

Chassis 850 503, a home market right-hand drive example, is one of the aforementioned desirables ‘flat floor’ roadsters. This example, as the story goes, is thought to have been found in ‘barn find condition’ by a previous owner before being restored over a period, finishing in c.2006. During the restoration, chassis 850 503 benefited from the popular Getrag BMW five-speed conversion, making it a much more useable car. The engine remained in place, with the block matching to this day.

The car was acquired not long after the restoration was finished, with it passing to the current owner, a talented engineer in February of 2008. Since then, the car has been enjoyed thoroughly and regular maintenance has been undertaken when required. Now reluctantly offered for sale, the car comes accompanied with the V5C document which displays 4 former keepers, and a replacement Heritage Certificate has also been applied for. The vendor rates the condition of the engine, transmission and interior trim as ‘Good’, the bodywork and electrical equipment as ‘Average to Good’ and the paintwork ‘Average’.

1928 Lagonda 2-Litre High Chassis

Speed Model Tourer

For improved performance, equipped with a downdraft cylinder head

Estimate: £65,000 - £75,000*

Reg No: YW 9207 Chassis No: OH 9115 MOT: Exempt

“In brief, the two-litre Lagonda may be said to combine the lively performance of a sports car with the quiet manners and convenience of a tourer, the result being a vehicle which is a sheer delight to handle, while it will convey four people in comfort over long distances at a high average speed” - Autocar, 16th December 1927

Some two years after its 1925 Motor Show launch, the Lagonda 14/60 morphed into the 2-Litre High Chassis model. Built around a sturdy ladder frame chassis equipped with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, it was powered by the same 1954cc engine as its predecessor. Designed by Arthur Davidson, this imposing looking four-cylinder unit featured twin high-mounted camshafts and fully machined hemispherical combustion chambers. Developing some 60bhp @ 3,500rpm, it was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox and gave a top speed of between 70mph and 80mph.

Chassis no. OH 9115 was first registered on 28th June 1928. It left the factory as a 2-Litre Speed model Saloon. By 1936 the Saloon body was removed and replaced with a Walker Drophead Coupe body, and by 1954 this coachwork was modified. In 1978, OH 9115 passed to Peter Jones who carried out a restoration. Replica Speed model Touring coachwork was fitted together with engine number S9439/10/768 from car number OH 9870. Peter also fitted a new downdraft cylinder head which was not originally fitted to the 2-Litre Speed model engine (although according to The Illustrated History by Geoffrey Seaton, on page 102, the factory did make one as an experiment in 1928 but decided not to put it into production). By 2000, the car came to reside with a new owner in Scotland, whereupon a significant amount of work was carried out on the car totalling £40,000. This included an engine and gearbox overhaul carried out by Milford Vintage Engineering Ltd. Invoices included in the history file meticulously document work done by renowned Specialist Jonathan Wood in 2022 to the sum of £13,500.

Today, chassis OH 9115 presents very well and mechanically is in exceptionally good order. The downdraft cylinder head provides superior performance, and the car has excellent road holding. The four-seat touring coachwork is equipped with a Beatonson-type rear screen, a beneficial addition for that touring from the rear seat. OH 9115 holds a VSCC buff-form classified as ‘Vintage Modified’ (due to the cylinder head). This well-sorted 2-Litre is ideal for touring and VSCC events. This magnificent Lagonda is accompanied by a large history file containing sheaves of Specialists’ invoices, workshop manuals and handbooks, Lagonda club magazines and sundry items.