The Jaguar E-Type needs no introduction and its familiarity with people across the world is almost unrivalled. Produced between 1961 and 1974, the E-Type, or XK-E as it was referred to in the American market, quickly established itself as an icon with its breath-taking beauty and high performance. Originally supplied in 3.8-litre form as either a Fixed Head Coupe or Roadster, the first Jaguar E-Type was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961.

In May 1961, Graham Hill drove a modified example entered by John Coombes to victory in its first competitive outing at Oulton Park, and there started the competition life of the E-Type. It quickly became a very popular choice to race against the might of Ferrari with their 250 GTO or Aston Martin with their DB4 GT. Over the years many privateers would campaign modified road cars, and Jaguar would supply various development parts to enable them to compete at the front end of the widely contested GT grids of the period. Traditionally supplied with all-steel panels, a number of cars received upgrades such as alloy bonnets, boots, doors, and roofs, bringing them up to what is often described as “Semi-Lightweight” specification. By 1963, Jaguar introduced 12 purpose-built “Lightweight” cars which incorporated these aluminium panels as well as an aluminium engine block. These cars were consistently successful in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Goodwood’s fabled Tourist Trophy.

This car, chassis 875073, a LHD Series I Roadster, was originally supplied on June 1, 1961, to Jaguar Cars in New York. While the first owner is not known, the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust production record shows the car was dispatched on June 22, 1961, and finished in Opalescent Gunmetal with a Light Blue interior. Following great success with his Jaguar XK150S, David Dooley of Oklahoma City acquired the car in late 1963, intending to race it in the same manner.

Correspondence on file shows that Dooley wrote to Sir William Lyons (chairman and managing director of Jaguar Cars) requesting competition parts from the factory. While parts were not offered, technical advice was and further correspondence details Dooley’s attempts to prepare the car for the 1964 SCCA season included engine, gearbox, and brake upgrades.

Dooley raced the car extensively throughout the 1964 SCCA season, winning the BP Class his first time out in March 1964 at Seguin. He subsequently achieved nine class wins and an overall win at the Lake Garnett round, followed along with the Mid-West Division BP Championship. Success continued in 1965 with more class wins, eight podium finishes, and an overall win at the 90-minute enduro at Green Valley, underlining the great achievements of 875073 in period. Significantly, Dooley also raced the car during Bahamas Speed Week where he lined-up alongside the likes of Peter Revson (Brabham BT8), Peter Gregg (Porsche 904 GTS), and Hap Sharp (Chapparal 2A). Dooley’s SCCA Competition logbook and driver’s record, which accompany the car, show that for 1966 he moved on to racing a Lotus Cortina, Ford Mustang, and Corvette C3 with the same levels of success that he enjoyed with his Jaguars.

While Dooley moved on to other pursuits, 875073 remained a well-campaigned car and was enjoyed on track and at events by a number of different custodians. Robert Ladd who raced the car in 1974 and 1975 won his class in every race he entered and added another championship to the car’s accolades when he won the C Production class in 1974. Bob Bodine took the car to the Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca as part of their celebration for Jaguar in 2011.

By 2020, the car was purchased by Rupert Clevely and three-time Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer who intended to race it at the Goodwood Revival’s RAC TT Celebration – what is regarded to be the “Jewel in the Crown” of its race line-up.

Clevely and Lotterer tasked renowned specialists Valley Motorsport to restore and race prepare 875073 to “Semi-Lightweight” specification using its original monocoque and FIA-correct parts including an alloy block engine. The car was finished in a livery that celebrates David Dooley’s successes in period and subsequently earned an invite to the 2021 and 2022 Goodwood Revival Meeting. Invoices on file total over £240,000 and the resultant pace in the car was obvious from the first race in its new guise, but more so in the 2022 running of the TT. Lotterer qualified 875073 on the front row of the grid alongside 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button in a full “Lightweight” specification E-Type and his former Audi teammate Romain Dumas in a 289 AC Cobra. Run in a Pro-Am manner, the owners netted a very respectable Top 10 finish in arguably one of the most competitive contemporary historic races in the world. Of the car Lotterer commented, “Not only am I in love with the way this car looks, but it is also perhaps the best balanced and comfortable historic GT car to drive and push on the limit.”

Offered today with a wealth of paperwork and documentation that covers the car’s history from 1961 to present day, it is also accompanied by a current FIA HTP which was issued in October 2021. The car is also UK road registered. 875073 represents a wonderful opportunity to buy a front-running, racing E-Type which has a competition background from nearly new. For the next custodian, whether it is the TT at Goodwood, Peter Auto events such as Le Mans Classic and Tour Auto, or the Spa 6 Hours, this car is eligible and sure to be competitive.