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.