The 5th Jaguar E-Type

When the E - type was launched at the Geneva Motor Show on 15th March 1961 everyone wanted one, not least the Motor Racing fraternity. Jaguar only released three cars in April and this one, chassis #850005, the fifth one made, went straight to Tommy Sopwith, owner of the racing team Equipe Endeavour.

It made its racing debut at Oulton Park on 15th April 1961, at only a month or so old! Graham Hill was the driver and he gained the first ever race win for a Jaguar E-type. An incredible achievement for such a new car with few modifications.

The car was driven extensively by Hill, Mike Parkes and Jack Sears during 1961 and 1962. It then disappeared, only to be found on a council estate in 1968! In 1974 it was purchased by Steve O’Rourke, the Pink Floyd Manager, who commissioned its rebuild and kept it for 28 years before selling it to its present owner.

Chassis #850005 will be a part of our parade at the Royal Windsor Festival on the 6th of May.