1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 FHC Series I Racing Car
- Original RHD E-Type
- Fully re-built by Valley Motorsport
- FIA Papers valid until 2030
- Fire extinguisher and seat belts serviced in 2026
- Driven by former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button at The Goodwood Revival
| YEAR | 1962 |
| MAKE | Jaguar |
| PRICE | £170,000 |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Few cars can claim to have competed at the very highest level of historic motorsport while also carrying genuine road-going origins. XJI 787 is one such E-Type – an exceptionally well-prepared FIA Appendix K competition car with an enviable provenance that includes appearances at the Goodwood Revival and a race driven by 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.
Manufactured in late 1962, this desirable right-hand-drive Series 1 3.8 Fixed Head Coupé was originally supplied new to Singapore, finished in Cream with a Red interior. Repatriated to the UK around 2000, it retained the registration XJI 787 and, following its acquisition by the current owner in 2017, embarked upon a comprehensive transformation into one of the UK’s most competitive historic E-Types.
The conversion was entrusted to renowned Jaguar specialists Valley Motorsport of Shropshire, who built the car to full FIA Appendix K specification, ensuring complete eligibility for Europe’s premier historic racing events. Presented today in the combination of Old English White with a purposeful black competition interior, the result is an E-Type that perfectly captures the spirit of Jaguar’s golden competition era.
The car made its competitive debut at the Castle Combe Autumn Classic in October 2020, contesting the Norman Dewis Trophy for pre-1966 Jaguars. In the hands of accomplished GT racer Alex Buncombe, XJI 787 immediately demonstrated its pace, taking pole position before converting it into a commanding race victory.
Its success continued into 2021 at the Silverstone Classic, where Buncombe secured a class victory during the 60th Anniversary E-Type Challenge. That performance earned an invitation to the prestigious Goodwood Revival, where the car competed in the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy for pre-1963 closed-cockpit GT cars—one of the world’s most celebrated historic motor races.
For Goodwood, Buncombe was joined by Formula One World Champion Jenson Button. Against an entry list featuring some of the finest drivers and most valuable historic racing machinery in existence, the pairing drove superbly to finish seventh overall, making XJI 787 the third-placed Jaguar E-Type in the race—a remarkable achievement on one of historic motorsport’s biggest stages.
Following its Goodwood appearance, the car has continued to benefit from expert maintenance by respected Jaguar specialists CKL Developments and has remained an active competitor, including a return to the Silverstone Classic in 2022.
Importantly, the car is supplied with a current FIA Historic Technical Passport and its 3,868cc XK engine has been certified in accordance with Motorsport UK regulations, allowing immediate eligibility for an extensive range of prestigious historic race meetings across the UK and Europe.
Equally appealing is the fact that XJI 787 remains road registered in the UK, offering the rare opportunity to own a competition-proven E-Type that can be enjoyed both on the road and on the circuit.
For anyone seeking a front-running FIA E-Type with proven results, impeccable preparation and genuine Goodwood Revival pedigree—including being raced by a Formula One World Champion—this represents an exceptional opportunity.
MODEL HISTORY
Introduced in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type immediately redefined expectations for sports cars, combining breath taking styling with race-derived engineering and performance that eclipsed many contemporary Ferraris at a fraction of the price. Enzo Ferrari famously described it as “the most beautiful car ever made.”
The early 3.8-litre Series 1 Fixed Head Coupé is widely regarded as the purest and most desirable evolution. Powered by Jaguar’s legendary twin-cam XK straight-six producing 265bhp, it offered a top speed approaching 150mph, while its lightweight monocoque construction, independent rear suspension and Dunlop disc brakes gave it remarkable balance and capability.
The E-Type’s competition credentials were equally impressive. Building on the success of the D-Type at Le Mans, Jaguar developed lightweight competition variants that enjoyed success in international GT racing throughout the 1960s. Today, FIA Appendix K E-Types remain among the most sought-after and competitive historic racing cars, eligible for blue-chip events including the Goodwood Revival, Silverstone Festival, Spa Six Hours, Le Mans Classic, Peter Auto’s European series and numerous prestigious FIA Historic championships.
Combining stunning aesthetics, exceptional engineering and enduring competition pedigree, the Series 1 3.8 E-Type remains one of the greatest sports cars ever built—and among the most rewarding machines to own, race and enjoy.