“The most beautiful car in the world” is high praise coming from anyone, but coming from Enzo Ferrari is exceptionally good. This statement has never been corroborated, but it’s a great story for one of the best-looking cars ever made, the Jaguar E-Type. From its organic flowing lines to its thrumming inline 6 engine under the hood, it makes a great statement about the high point for the British car industry. Our car today comes at us from Wallingford, Connecticut, and is available on Barn Finds Classifieds here for the sum of $105,000.
For those unfamiliar with the E-type history, the car was produced from 1961 to 1974 in Coventry, England, and paired an I6 with RWD to create one of the fastest roadsters of the day. Our car is the rather unusually named 1.5 series, which sits with the series 1 body, but a number of changes which are only in the series 2. This was never officially named this way but the seller points out that the unique history of this car goes further than this. The car was bought as part of a business deal and was not used for 10 years before being sent off to restore. However, some issues with the restoration meant it sat in parts for a long while before being purchased back by the owner. It was eventually restored, but the original engine was lost – however, the numbers are close to each other.
This model has the 4.2L I6 engine with twin Stromberg and is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. It’s only had 1000 miles on the engine from its restoration and was only driven around CT to British car shows. Everything on this car is in great condition, from the dials to the leather interior. These cars are built to be driven and back in their day were fast. What’s even better is that this soft top version is perfect for cruising down the coast on a long summer’s day.
The body is in perfect condition, with the red paint sparkling in the sun and this perfection carries down to the underneath of the car, without even a stone chip in sight. From the wheels to the soft-top, you can be confident in buying one of the best condition E-Types that can be driven on a regular basis. So do you think that this is one of the best-looking cars ever made – what else do you think also takes that crown?
This is where the love of cars all started for me. It was 1962 and I was 8 years old, living in Rockford, IL. I had an aunt and uncle who lived in the Chicago burbs, about an hour away. My uncle was a salesman for a small industrial company and he just got a red Jag as his “company car”! I90 was still new and mostly empty in the evening. He said he did 90 mph all the way in with the top down. Then, he said, “Jump in”. He didn’t have to say it twice. That was my first ride in a fast (and beautiful) car as he red-lined it in first and second gears. It still puts a smile on my face. What a wonderful automobile…
I had a 1961 in 1967, paid $1500 for it and it was very nice. Those were the days, wish I still had it !!!
Mr. Enzo had another famous phrase: “a beautiful car is a car that wins.”
I agree with everyone.
As for the Jaguar, it’s spectacular.
It was the most beautiful car until the owner put those oversized wheels and white walls on!!!!
Lee, at that time Jaguar E-types came with those wheel and white walls!
I learned to drive a manual transmission in a red 1968 E-Type OTS, just like this (but in much worse condition and only 20 years old at the time). Great memories here!
Check out Leno’s video from this week, on YouTube to see the Jag. he picked up.
Iconic, like the Cord Roadster or (to me) the original Buick Riviera perhaps?
I built a model of one back in 1963 as a 10 year old.
It is people who are jealous that Enzo said what he said, who have been propagating that there is no proof that he ever said that the E Type is the most beautiful car ever. They have succeeded to some extent, as here on Barn Finds Enzo’s statement tends to now be mentioned as something that may or may not be true.
In 1961 the very reputable Autocar Magazine reported that Enzo had said: “It is the most beautiful car ever and I wish I had built it.” Enzo’s statement has also been corroborated by Norman Dewis, to whom Ferrari repeated the statement, and it was also heard by Princess Grace of Monaco, who in passing alluded to it to Road & Track’s Tony Hogg.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the comments!
I am selling this wonderful Cat for her owner. Any questions, please feel free to ask.
Thanks!
The. most beautiful car ever? 1959 Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz! The Jaguar XKE a strong second…and nobody else even close. ☮️♥️🎸