It has been driven by Norman Dewis and Paul Frère, and appeared in many magazines, and now this former works Jaguar E-type is for sale.
The 10th production E-type fixed head coupé will cross the block at RM Sotheby’s London sale on 31 October.
And it is predicted that ‘6162 RW’ will sell for £395-495,000.
Chassis number 860010 was completed on 27 September 1961 in Opalescent Dark Green and registered 6162 RW.
Kept by Jaguar, it was used by journalists from around the world, and also by Jaguar for testing and development.
In its latter role, the marque’s legendary Test Development Engineer Norman Dewis used this car for high-speed runs, as well as work to refine the suspension and interior.
As such, 6162 RW has a number of tweaks, including a lower driver’s side floor but the early standard ‘flat-floor’ for the passenger, revised cockpit ventilation, seats to better accommodate tall passengers, a recessed rear bulkhead, repositioned pedals and the reversing light is now between the exhaust pipes.
There are also changes to the boot and door locks, and this is one of the first E-types to be fitted with an internal bonnet release.
There are developmental differences under the skin, too.
It has an aluminium oil pan, a modified rear crankshaft bearing seal, a gear ratio of 3.07:1 and new piston rings to reduce oil consumption.
Meanwhile, in its role as a press car, Jaguar E-type 6162 RW was driven by journalists and appeared in titles including Quattroroute, Auto Motor und Sport and Motoring News.
Indeed, the well-known Belgian racing driver and journalist Paul Frère drove it at Monza and took it to 256kph on the autostrada between Rome and Ostia.
What’s more, journalist Andrew Whyte contested the 1962 Tour de France in this car, and it remained in Jaguar’s custodianship until November 1963.
It was then sold to Coombs of Guildford and to Hampshire resident Bruce Buckley, who owned it for 11 years, until it was bought by Michael Fulks in Essex, the first of two owners in that county.
Around 12 years ago, JD Classics performed a no-expense spared, nut-and-bolt restoration that retained all its special, original features, after which this E-type won its class at the 2012 Unique Special Ones concours in Florence.
Since 2018, it has been stored carefully and with the model’s 60th anniversary next year, this significant example will surely be one of the lead lots with RM Sotheby’s in the British capital on 31 October.
Find out more about the sale here.
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