1961 Jaguar E Type – Chassis 860010 “6162 RW”
A landmark piece of Jaguar history, 6162 RW is one of the three original factory “press cars” built for the launch of the E Type, alongside 9600 HP and 77 RW. Finished in Opalescent Dark Green over Suede Green, this numbers-matching, right-hand-drive coupe was retained by Jaguar through late 1963, serving a dual role as a press vehicle and engineering development prototype.
According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, Jaguar Cars Ltd. was the car’s original distributor, dealer, and owner. Unlike its two launch siblings, which were primarily used for media duties, 6162 RW was used extensively for high-speed testing and product development, typically piloted by Jaguar’s legendary chief test driver Norman Dewis, and maintained by factory engineer Andrew Whyte. 860010 features numerous factory modifications, many of which made it into production further down the line. Listed below are just a few examples of those modifications which are still evident on the car today.
- Modified rear bulkhead for additional leg room
- Lowered driver’s footwell and repositioned pedals, done on instructions of Lofty England, who was too tall to drive the car with the original “flat” driver’s floor pan
- Enlarged seats to fit taller drivers
- Reverse lamp mounted between exhaust pipes
- Modified boot and door locks
- 3.07:1 final drive ratio (7% lower engine speed at cruise)
- Revised piston rings and rear crankshaft seal
During testing by Paul Frère, famed Belgian journalist and race driver, 6162 RW reached 160 mph (256 km/h) on the Italian autostrada. This was the fastest recorded speed by any E Type road car, and was documented in publications such as Quattroruote and Auto Motor und Sport.
Painstakingly restored to concours standards between 2006 and 2012 by JD Classics (UK), this extraordinary E Type is now offered direct from the Team CJ Collection. The car has been meticulously maintained in the Team CJ workshops since our acquisition following the car’s appearance at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours, where it was specially invited to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the E Type.
The sale includes a huge file of period documentation reaching all the way back to the original DVLC log book. The car still carries its original 6162 RW UK registration plate, as well as a clear, unencumbered Montana title here in the United States.
Undoubtedly one of the most historically important, and valuable, steel bodied E Types to be offered in recent years.
