FULLY RESTORED AND FAITHFUL EARLY SERIES I E-TYPE

Jaguar launched the E-Type in 1961. This beautiful 1962 example was purchased from Jaguar Cars, New York and owned for 57 years by Martin Drexsel of Kankakee, IL.

ESSENTIALS

ALL ORIGINAL NUMBERS

  Chassis: 877279

  Engine: R5359-9

  Body: R3786

  Gearbox: EB4513JS

Exterior: Opalescent Silver Grey

Interior: Black Leather Seats Black carpeting, aluminum trim

Manufactured: 5/8/1962

Dispatched: 5/25/1962

Fully Restored: 1997

Freshly Serviced: 12/2024

  Oil, Coolant, Gearbox

  Diff fluids. All filters.

Compression (cold):

Cyl#1:  141

Cyl#2:  140

Cyl#3:  143

Cyl#4:  151

Cyl#5:  142

Cyl#6:  147

45,600 ORIGINAL MILES

Please refer to the upcoming auction for this car on BringATrailer.com. A link to auction will be posted here when live.

In 1966, Mr. Drexsel’s wife was driving the E-Type and passed out at the wheel. The car sustained minor damage, however Martin’s attention quickly turned to his wife who he discovered was pregnant! Family came first. The Jaguar was carefully mothballed. It required a new driver’s door which Mr. Drexsel purchased and kept with the car, garaged and covered. Long story short, 29 years passed by, and baby daughter Melinda was now an adult.

In 1995 Mr. Drexsel retired. It was time to re-live an earlier passion. John Sanders’ Antique Automobile Restorations of Rockford, IL was commissioned to fully restore the E-Type at a cost of $48,000 (1997 dollars). Its original Gunmetal Grey was replaced with a lighter Opalescent Silver Grey. The interior was replaced in its original black, and no expense spared in restoring the original engine and drivetrain, which still matches the Jaguar Heritage certificate numbers.

Two weeks before the restoration was finally complete in 1997, Mr. Drexsel tragically passed. It was left to Melinda to collect and pay for the restoration. She kept and drove the E-Type regularly as a tribute to her father until finally selling the Jaguar to me in June 2023 with 44,560 original miles. I have since added ~900 local miles.

The superb condition of the 1995 replacement soft-top reveals great overall care and attention over several decades. However, I have improved the car further. An authentic XKE toolkit and Metallifacture jack has been added. The car has been thoroughly serviced and numerous mechanical items refreshed:

Replacement OEM steering wheel
Authentic XKE S1 Tool Kit
Authentic XKE Metallifacture jack
New OEM-spec trunk floor mat
Deleted non-retracting radio antenna
R&R rocker cover gaskets, oil line seals
R&R steering column bearings
Installed underdash casing
R&R Tachometer and cam drive
R&R Speedometer cable
R&R oil pressure sender unit
UK 1960's Embossed License plate
Fluids service: oil, trans, diff, coolant, brake, clutch (oil, air, fuel filters)
R&R rear suspension bump stops
SoftTec satin car cover
 

Recent and other receipts and numerous original manuals are included.

This car proudly won 2^nd Place at the 2024 San Diego British Car Show.

Limited garage space is now my motivation for sale.

Contact: Huw Holwill: 818-391-3080, huw@holwill.com, Rancho Bernardo, CA.