2013-01-19 09:27:19 | Anonymous writes:

The real 860051 is for sale in January 2013 at Nick Whale cars UK.

Priced at £79,950 - see www.nickwhalesportscarsdirect.co.uk/jaguar-e-type-series-1-fhc-3-8-litre-flat-fl ... has lots of pictures.

Manufactered November 1961,

Chassis Number 51,

Original Right Hand Drive,

Matching Numbers,

1 Private Registered Keeper,

Full Bare Metal Respray.

Jaguar Heritage Certificate,

New MOT.

When introduced to the UK market in July '61 who was to know that a true legend had been born? The first clue came from Enzo Ferrari who called it at the time - 'the most beautiful car ever made'.

More recently in March 2008, the E-Type was named by the Daily Telegraph as the winner of the 100 most beautiful cars in the world. Coventry based Jaguar were to go on to produce over 70,000 derivatives of the car before production finally ceased in 1974.

The most collectable and valuable of all Jaguar E-Type's ever built were the first 100 coupes and roadsters, which were all made with unique features and mostly hand assembled. They were known as the 'flat floors' and were in effect pre-production cars whilst the factory were busy signing up long term supplier deals with their preferred long term partners for the individual components.

Our matching numbers car is exactly that, chassis number 51, being the 51st Coupe built at Coventry with a date of manufacture of 23 November 1961and a date of first registration of 1st January 1962. With some unique features, typical of early cars, and with the all original interior, it has just been repainted externally in its original colour of Opalescent Grey and now looks truly stunning from the outside. Sitting on the correct early cross ply tyres (Dunlop R5's) and wire wheels, the trim is very original. It has a recently rebuilt original matching numbers Moss gearbox, the original trim - including the steering wheel and dashboard, and only one private registered keeper recorded on the log book since new.

It drives exceptionally well with a strong power delivery and no smoke on start up, power on or power lift off. It ticks over beautifully and wants to be driven. Behind the wheel this car feels every inch the part. An amazing and rare 51 year old motor car that is truly collectable and can only grow in value with every passing year. Surely one for the serious collector or Jaguar connoisseur.

2013-05-11 04:09:06 | Anonymous writes:

This car is for sale by Silverstone Auctions on 17th May 2013 at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit.

Registration: 357 NME
Chassis Number: 860051
Engine Number: R2791.9
Year of Manufacture: 1961

Estimate (£): 65,000 - 80,000

Since Jaguar launched the phenomenal E-Type in July 1961 to great acclaim, the early pre-production cars or 'flat floors' as they were known, have since become highly desirable and are now regarded as the most collectable, and potentially most valuable, of all E-Types ever built.

Rarely do they come to market, and even more rarely are they seen in the exceptional and highly original condition as the one offered here today. Built as an original right hand drive UK car in November 1961, and first registered in Jan 1962, this car is finished in its original colour scheme of Opalescent Silver with red leather upholstery. The car has 'matching numbers' and thus retains the original engine and correct Moss gearbox with which it left Coventry in Jan 1962. The trim retains all the original features, dashboard and seats, as well as the original steering wheel and instruments.

The car drives very well and the engine is smooth, (we drove it in April 2013) with no smoke on start-up and it has benefitted from regular maintenance and upkeep. It was part restored in 2012 with a complete external re-paint at a cost of over £14,000 by recognised Midland experts, PL Carbodies (bill available for inspection in history file). The interior is unrestored, but highly original. Externally the chrome work needs restoring to match the excellent finish of the paintwork, but otherwise the car is ready to enjoy driving this summer. Unusually the car's V5C shows just one registered keeper from new, although the original buff log book is missing, so this cannot be proved for certain.

It represents an amazing and extremely rare chance today to acquire an important piece of Jaguar history that can only gain in value as the legend of the E-Type continues to grow in stature.

2013-05-24 06:17:27 | pauls writes:

URL for above auction:
www.silverstoneauctions.com/jaguar-e-type-series-1-fixed-head-coupe--51
Car went unsold.

2013-06-01 07:20:24 | Anonymous writes:

Now back on sale at Nick whale's for £99,999!

2014-03-10 11:14:48 | Mr.S.Whiting writes:

I can confirm that the FHC described and pictured is the real chassis '51 as I was personally involved in its restoration during the 1980's and its subsequent recomissioning from around 2003 till its sale at auction.CKL Developments did a lot of mechanical work on this car and noted some unusual/early features.

2014-12-29 16:35:12 | David Johnston writes:

Lovely EXTERIOR paint job on this difficult colour. Would have been a good idea to remove the engine first though! Shame that's the best bit by a country mile! Rest of car needs attention.

2017-10-04 15:08:19 | Anonymous writes:

It's a shame so many cars have their seat fitted the wrong way round after a refurbishment...

Please could the owner swap them back...

2022-01-06 01:38:58 | charles Herlinger writes:

I am the owner of this car (860051, 357 NME) which is now fully restored. I would appreciate any information that might exist on the previous ownership of the car. Regards and thank you.

2022-01-07 08:48:28 | Charles Herlinger writes:

Please would you remove the comments, photos and licence plate reference you have about car #850051 (see UK OTS car already on your data base) from my car #860051 a UK fixed head car. Someone was confused and added comments on car # 850051 under my car # 860051. Please note that my car # 860051 has the original UK licence plate number 357 NME which still remains with the car. Thank you, regards Charles Herlinger +44 7990 805065

2022-01-08 12:24:47 | pauls writes:

Charles, sorry for the identity mix up, hopefully the record is corrected. If you see any other errors please write to the webmaster.

2022-01-10 10:54:58 | Simon Whiting writes:

To Charles Herlinger

I have many recollections and photographs of this car and would be happy for you to get in touch.

Kind regards

Simon Whiting

2024-08-29 05:49:52 | Nick writes:

Hi,

Could the current owner confirm whether this was the car of conductor & car enthusiast George Weldon? There is a photo of his e type on Serpentine Bridge sometime in 1963 with part of the registration visible as 357... there is an article about Weldon in issue 238 of the E type magazine.

nick