Black Beauty E-Type sells for $467,500 USD!
**Sold for a record $467,500 USD!
As a counter punch to our last feature, here is the 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-Litre Roadster chassis 1E11911, a three-time 100-point JCNA National Champion that RM Auctions will offer at their Art of the Automobile sale on 21 November 2013.
RM Describe the car which is likely to beat all previous records: “Notably, “Black Beauty” was the name her restorers gave her, and it is how this amazing E-Type has become known on the concours circuit. Few E-Types have ever been restored to this standard, and perhaps none have been so all-conquering on the field, or so accepted by the factory as a standard of perfection. Black Beauty is not just another E-Type; it is a world-class Jaguar with attention to detail that is as striking as its very shape.”
The spectacular images are from studio photographer Michael Furmann who is doing similar photos for every car in the auction catalog.
This E-Type, chassis IE11911, was brought to the Jaguar specialists at Classic Showcase. When it arrived, it was still wearing its original interior and paint, and it was an excellent “survivor,” with 71,000 actual miles. The originality of the car provided a perfect candidate for a comprehensive rotisserie restoration to modern show standards. Photo by Michael Furman ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.
The body (number 4E3351) was stripped to the bare metal, mounted on a rotisserie, and properly metal-finished with lead to ensure smooth, straight panels. All body parts and chrome were then test-fitted to the body, to ensure a proper fit, before the body was correctly painted and refinished in an elegant Black, with an amazingly deep shine and finish. The brightwork was all triple-plated to the highest of concours standards, for an amazing shine. Photo by Michael Furman ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions.
The original, matching-numbers 4.2-liter engine (number 7E6555-9, mated to gearbox number EJ5705) was rebuilt to factory specifications by being machined and calibrated with new pistons, an oil pump, a timing chain, bearings, valves, guides, and seals. The head and carburetors were fully rebuilt, and the driveshaft was properly balanced. As with all aspects of this restoration, New Old Stock parts were used extensively, whenever possible. Photo by Michael Furman ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions
The interior was fitted with new, custom-tailored materials, including new seats, carpet, door panels, and dashboard covering. The top bows were fully restored before being fitted with a new black convertible top that was custom-sewn and fitted to original specifications. Even the correct and difficult to duplicate “shot bag,” a narrow tube of lead shot that prevents the top from billowing in the wind, was sewn and installed to ensure a completely accurate restoration. All dashboard instruments, the switchgear, and knobs were properly restored, including the Blaupunkt radio. Photo by Michael Furman ©2013 Courtesy of RM Auctions