A rare 1965 Jaguar E-Type found rusting in a barn is selling for £41,000

A RARE 1965 Jaguar E-Type found rotting in a barn has been sold for £41,000 and could be worth six figures once restored.

The “Big Cat” was left to decay for half a century, covered in dust and cobwebs and rust.

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It is estimated that it could eventually sell for around £150,000 once it is restored to its former glory.

Described as one of the most beautiful and stylish cars in the world in the Swinging Sixties, E-Types nicknamed “Big Cats” were so fashionable that the super-cool rich and famous almost tripped over themselves trying to buy one, after they were presented at a motor show in 1961.

like stars Steve McQueenGeorge Best, Sir Jackie Stewart, Brigitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Bruce McLaren, The Duke of Kent, Charlton Heston, Peter Sellers, Tony Curtis and Princess Grace were among the A-listers who moved into an E – Type that can do 150 mph and a 0 to 60 mph time of just over six seconds.

Classic car dealer H&H says the owners declined to say exactly where the vehicle – which still shows some of its original blue paintwork – was found in a barn, but confirmed “the car hadn’t been on the road for the last 49 years”. .

It has been in the current family ownership since 1971 and fetched £41,400 at auction at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

H&H Classics said: “The Jaguar still has traces of its original paintwork and original factory fitted interior and has lived in East Anglia all its life.

“Enzo Ferrari famously described the E-Type as the ‘most beautiful car in the world’, and even five decades of dust haven’t managed to lessen the allure of this headstrong coupé.

“The car is considered essentially complete and even has its original ‘matching numbers’ engine.

“The 4.2-litre machines in the One series are particularly popular because of their improved gearbox, more powerful engine and better brakes.

“If this treasure is restored to its former glory it could fetch up to £150,000.”

It was first registered on 3 March 1965 to Grawford (Oaklands) Farm Ltd of Wood Farm, Cabrooke, with license plate DPW 785 C.

A year later on 20th June 1966 the first ownership change was to Mr David Trenchard Thom, a professional jockey turned racehorse trainer based in Exning, Newmarket.

The Jaguar changed hands twice more before being sold in 1971 via Roger Bradbury Motors to its current managers, who bought it to celebrate it getting an apprenticeship.

“It was driven back and forth to school daily … sometimes with a shotgun on a white husky dog ​​in the passenger seat,” the auctioneers revealed.

“The car was parked to have the brake calipers replaced and some minor body repairs done around 1973.

“The last vignette still stuck to the windscreen expired in August of the same year.

“Unfortunately, other commitments arose and the E-Type was put on hold, which is a shame as it was running and driving when it was laid up.

“The odometer currently only shows 79,651 miles, which is considered correct.

“Fortunately, the DPW 785 C comes with its original log book and a current V5C registration document.

“Jaguar’s E-Type is one of the greatest classic cars of all time and the appeal of the 4.2-litre fixed-head Series 1 coupe, offered for sale as a ‘barn find’ with no reserve price, is for an enthusiast hardly to exaggerate.

“It was one of just 1,584 right-hand drive Jaguar E-Type Series One 4.2 Fixed Head coupés produced before the introduction of the so-called Series 1.5 cars.”

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