Jaguar made a habit of shocking the automotive world. Sometimes the impact of its cars reached beyond the showrooms and exposition halls and rocked popular culture. Not even founder William Lyons could have predicted the impact of the Jaguar XKE.

When first seen at the 1961 Geneva Salon, the new Jaguar was long and low and as sexy as a car could be. Jaguar also claimed an incredible 150mph top speed thanks to a 265 horsepower version of the glorious 3.8-liter Twin Cam engine. From the outset, the new E-Type was offered in OTS (open two seat) or FHC (fixed head coupe) form. As beautiful as the coupe was, few could resist the charms of the open version. In fact, in the swinging Sixties, noted American motoring writer Henry Manney III dubbed it "The greatest crumpet-catcher known to man."

The E-Type featured four-wheel independent-suspension, disc brakes all around and a four-speed manual gearbox to send power aft. Whether open or closed, it offered Ferrari performance for less than half the price.

For 1965 an enlarged 4.2-liter engine was introduced and mated to a new all-synchromesh transmission. Externally unchanged, the interior was updated with more supportive bucket seats. Although the power rating remained at 265bhp, torque was increased.

To most sports car enthusiasts, few cars are more appealing than a Jaguar E-Type roadster. Those in the know prefer the later cars—like the one on offer-- with the bigger engine and the better seats, but not so late that they lost the triple SU carburetors, headlamp covers or the purposeful dashboard toggle switches.

This striking 1967 roadster represents the last year before Federally-mandated regulations tampered with the E-Type’s perfection. In one ownership for 16 years, it was comprehensively restored by the owner’s restoration business, down to the last—and absolutely correct—GKN nut and bolt, taking an estimated 3000 hours of restoration time and at a cost of over $200,000. Connolly leather, correct mohair for the top, new Triplex glass and stainless-sleeved brake cylinders were just part of a package that is complete down to an original tool kit.

The perfection achieved during the restoration is reflected by a lengthy list of Best of Show and class wins and several 100 point scores, from Amelia Island to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Finished in the wonderful combination of British Racing Green with tan leather, this E-Type is one of the best anywhere.