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Description

For sale now a wonderfull and fully restored Jaguar Etype 3.8 OTS. Year Manufacture 1963. Fitting wonderfull Borrani wheels instead of the original standard wire wheels. Ready to enjoy.

Model history and curiosity

The genesis of the Jaguar E-Type 3.8 OTS (Open Two Seater) stems from Sir William Lyons’ desire to bring the technical dominance achieved at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the renowned D-Type to the road.

To accomplish this, Lyons turned to Malcolm Sayer, an engineer with a background in aviation. Sayer designed the bodywork by applying mathematical formulas and aerodynamic principles rather than relying on simple aesthetic sketches, ultimately shaping the E1A and E2A prototypes. The result was a revolutionary stylistic signature—refined in its details by Lyons himself to achieve perfect proportions—that captivated even Enzo Ferrari.

From a technical and engineering perspective, the car introduced cutting-edge solutions for its time:
- Mixed construction: It combined a central steel monocoque with a rigid tubular front subframe that supported the engine and suspension, drastically reducing weight (to just over 1,200 kg).
- Powertrain: Housed beneath the long, forward-hinged bonnet was the 3,781 cc XK inline-six engine, featuring an aluminium cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). Fed by three SU HD8 carburettors, it produced 265 hp at 5,500 rpm and 353 Nm of torque, propelling the car to a top speed of approximately 240 km/h. - Chassis and suspension: It introduced sophisticated independent rear suspension designed by Bob Knight—featuring dual coil-over-damper units per wheel and inboard-mounted disc brakes (attached to the differential rather than the wheels) to reduce unsprung mass—along with Dunlop servo-assisted disc brakes on all four wheels.
- Drivetrain: A 4-speed Moss manual transmission delivered power to the rear wheels via a Thornton Power-Lok limited-slip differential, though the first gear remained unsynchronized.

Its debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show sparked such enthusiasm that test driver Norman Dewis had to drive an OTS all night from Coventry to Switzerland to ensure it was available for press test drives. By 1962, production was in full swing. The very first OTS models from that year featured details that are now extremely rare, such as a "flat floor," external hood latches, and a dashboard finished in screen-printed aluminum.

With a price tag that was accessible compared to its contemporaries, the 1962 E-Type OTS instantly established itself as a cultural icon of "Swinging London" and a definitive landmark in automotive history.

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