Rare Jaguar E-Type and BMW Z8 auction entries with history
A 1961 Jaguar E-Type, born on 10 July 1961, and a rare BMW Z8 in the same specification as James Bond’s car in ‘The World Is Not Enough’, have joined the roster of classic and modern supercars at Silverstone Auctions’ 23 July sale during the Silverstone Classic weekend. Already generating early interest, such vehicles prove the benefits of auction lots accompanied by as much historical and anecdotal detail as possible.
Auctioneer Guy Loveridge points out the benefits to clients of providing as much insight and heritage into the vehicles they’re considering selling, particularly classics.
“For example, we have an exceptional Jaguar E-Type, fifty years old in the E-Type’s fiftieth anniversary year. It features the outside bonnet locks of the first 91 right-hand drive Roadster cars: now the most collectable and valuable of E-Types built,” says Guy. “The car featured at Silverstone Auctions is chassis number 80, and thus the eightieth E-Type Roadster produced, driving out of Brown’s Lane on 10 July 1961. The car is an all-round stunning example of an early E-type, restored to exacting standards.”
“It’s often the story that accompanies an auction lot, especially features such as documentation, photographs and paperwork, including original adverts or race entries,” continues Guy. “These are extremely important when positioning a car’s potential sale value. It allows us to paint a picture of the emotion and character attached to a classic car: important for both vendor and buyer.”
This E-Type Jaguar is a Series I ‘flat floor’ Roadster. Chassis number 80 was one of the very first cars built by the factory for export, to Cyprus: another right-hand drive market. Returning to the UK in 1996, this significant early car was then thoroughly restored over the next 12 years, faithful to the original factory specification and photographically documented by its dedicated owner, himself a trim expert. Finished in the stunning and unusual combination of Old English White, with cream leather upholstery and a fawn hood, the engine of this 'matching numbers’ car was rebuilt by VSE Jaguar Specialists of Powys and is described as still running in!
“There is a photographic record of the entire, painstaking restoration process with the history file of this car,” points out Guy Loveridge. “That is of significant appeal to a new owner; to know exactly how a car has been cared for through its lifetime, where restoration parts and processes have been sourced from, how materials might be matched – previously and in the future - and undoubtedly affects values.”
The BMW Z8 benefits from being younger and is very much in original condition, with no modifications but all its BMW service stamps from new, so with its history intact it is a very rare and much sought-after motor car. Featuring the most desired colour combination of Satin Silver with red and black leather interior it has the identical specification to the Z8 featured in the James Bond movie.
“Other than the Q-Branch ‘enhancements’ of course, and with only two owners and just 25,000 miles on the clock, it’s a sensational opportunity,” says Guy. “The James Bond association also makes this car an appealing investment for future owners. Apart from the Z8’s V8, 5.0 litre engine promising a lively and exciting drive in its own right, this car has a reason to be in a collector’s garage, and again it’s a very appealing lot at an auction. In addition to the strong personal appeal, there could even be commercial potential with the ‘007 specification’ that it sports.”
Visit silverstoneauctions.com for further information.
