Ex-Stirling Moss E-type heads to auction

By Lizzie Pope

| 16 May 2018

Ex-Sir Stirling Moss Jaguar E-type for sale – Classic & Sports Car

A Jaguar E-type doesn't need to do much to turn heads, but this particular car has more cachet than most and could top £100,000 when it goes under the hammer next month.

Why? Because this 1965 car was campaigned by Sir Stirling Moss, no less. In fact, it was the first E-type he drove competitively, when he took on the 1991 Manx Mountain Challenge, with then Classic and Sports Car Editor Mike McCarthy.

Despite his time as a works Jaguar driver, Moss never competed in an E-type in period, meaning this event 27 years ago was the first time he'd driven one competitively.

And that's not all. Le Mans and touring car legend Win Percy was behind the wheel of this car in the 40th anniversary race for E-types at Donington Park in 2001.

Sir Stirling Moss is famous for racing XKs and C-types, but this was his first competitive outing in an E-type

Described as a 'Semi-Lightweight' Roadster, E-type chassis number 1E11338 left the factory as a roadster, but in the 1980s it underwent a transformation.

Expert work by specialist Jeremy Broad saw it turned into the road-going lightweight racer seen here, including a 4.2-litre, race-spec engine and a five-speed Getrag gearbox.

It also makes use of many original components, including an aluminium bonnet that it is said was first fitted to Sir Robert Ropner's factory 'lightweight'.

It's powered by a 4.2-litre engine and is being presented in fine condition

While this E-type is the undoubted star lot at next month's H&H Classics & Motor Sport Hall of Fame Auction, it's far from the only desirable classic car in the catalogue.

Three other E-types will cross the block, as well as an XK140, an XK150 and an XJ-S. Or, if you've now got the competition bug, how about the 1956 Austin A30 HRDC racer, which will start at £15,000?

If you're more of a Mercedes aficionado, you'll be pleased to hear that a Pagoda and an Adenauer are both due to be sold. Or how about a Lancia Flavia or a 1924 Bentley?

The auction will take place at The Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, on 5 June. You can check out the full catalogue here.