1961 Jaguar E Type flat floor roadster

Description

Every once in a while a truly special E Type comes to the market, and this 1961 flat floor roadster is just such a car.
875462 is a genuine two owner E Type that was special ordered new by renowned Studebaker designer Robert Bourke. Mr. Bourke was attending the New York Auto Show in April 1961 when he saw the stunning new E Types on display. He placed an order for a black roadster with biscuit interior and a black top. He added whitewall tires, chrome wire wheels and a radio to the specification, requesting delivery 'asap'.

We know the precise details of Mr. Bourke's order because we have the original carbon copy of the hand written Purchase Contract (see below). We also know that it would be more than five months before Mr. Bourke's E Type was ready for him, and that it cost him $6,072.00. We know this because we have the original invoice dated October 1961.
Mr. Bourke owned his beautiful 1961 E Type for 35 years until his death in 1996. We can see from the invoices in the extensive ownership file that the car was undergoing some major refurbishment at the time of Mr. Bourke's passing. These invoices document a bare metal repaint, a new interior, new wire wheels and a significant amount of new chrome plating carried out between April 1994 and December 1996.
Mr. Bourke's wife kept the car until January 2002, when it was sold at the Barrett Jackson classic car auction in Arizona. The current owner purchased the car at the auction and was fortunate enough to meet the Bourke family at the time of the sale. Many stories were recounted about the car, which had clearly been much loved by Robert Bourke. Richard Bourke, Robert's son, actually learned to drive in the E Type, and was understandably very sorry to see it go!
The new owner brought the car back home to Texas where it has remained ever since. He kept in contact with Richard Bourke, who just a few days ago said that he would be delighted to hear from the new owner and share his memories of the car growing up. Once back in Texas, the car was entered in several shows and concours events, always acquitting itself very well. Among prizes won (and included in the sale), are a JCNA Best in Class at the Houston Concours in 2004. There was another Best in Class at the 2008 Keels and Wheels event, where the car was also selected by the Corwin family to receive the Raleigh Corwin Memorial Award for the family's favorite car in the show.
When 875462 was new, it would have had a welded louver bonnet. According to Richard Bourke, the bonnet was swapped out following a minor accident during the early years of his father's ownership, with a later style 'pressed in louver' bonnet being installed at that time. Other than the replacement factory bonnet, the car retains all of its original factory sheet metal. This car has clearly never been rusty as the original floors are as solid as you are ever likely to find on an unrestored 1961 E Type. There are two or three tiny rust holes in the floor immediately to the left of the right hand radius arm (see close-up photo below), but that is about it as far as rust is concerned. The boot floor is in fantastic condition - bone dry and totally rust free. It still has the rarely seen clips for the long jack handle in place along the center boot floor support rail, and it is a rare treat to see the rows of factory spot welds on the underside of the boot floor.
The 1995 repaint has held up very well, but is now showing its age in places. Although obviously no longer show quality, the black paint still retains a nice gloss and is more than presentable for a driver condition car. The black leather seat covers are in excellent condition, although the carpets are not quite up to OEM specs and could stand to be replaced. The chrome and bright work is very nice, including the wire wheels, which were apparently replaced around the time the car was repainted. The canvas convertible top is in excellent condition and fits very well.
I would describe this as a very strong driver condition car. In my view it would be a real shame if someone were to restore 875462. It doesn't need a restoration! It needs to be driven, lovingly maintained, and perhaps improved a little here and there along the way.
Included in the sale are all the original order and purchase documents, invoices for work done during Robert Bourke's ownership, a virtually complete original tool kit (missing only the feeler gauge and 7/16" X 1/2" box wrench), owner's manual, service book, original 1961 sales brochure - and even the original key fob from the Manhattan Jaguar dealer! There are also several trophies and a number of Jaguar, Robert Bourke and Studebaker related books. The original jack is missing, but otherwise the new owner of this car will receive everything that was handed to Robert Bourke when he took delivery of the car almost 56 years ago.
Ladies and gentleman, this is a truly wonderful opportunity. Not only is this an extremely solid, running and driving, matching numbers, two owner, 1961 E Type flat floor roadster, but it is also a rare blend of Jaguar and American design history.
Inspections are welcome and actively encouraged. Please call (512) 288 8800 or email through the eBay system with any questions or to make an appointment to view. I have lots more photographs that I could not use in the eBay listing (limited to 24). Email me for a link to the additional photos, or find them in the cars for sale section of the Classic Jaguar website.
This vehicle is being sold as is, where is, with no warranty of any kind being offered. Clear, unencumbered title conveys to the new owner.