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1964 Jaguar XKE Series I Roadster Heads to Auction
A 1964 Jaguar XKE Series I 3.8 Roadster, once owned by Sean Connery's stepson, is offered for sale with a five-speed manual conversion and recent engine work.
By Edward Beaumont · 4 min read
A 1964 Jaguar XKE Series I 3.8 Roadster with a five-speed manual conversion and a documented history is being offered for sale. The car, chassis 880433, was completed on 28 October 1963 and sold new through Jaguar's Personal Export Delivery programme before being shipped to the United States. It is now presented with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, recent service records, and a clean Arizona title listing it as a 1964 model.
The roadster's early life included a period of ownership by the stepson of actor Sean Connery in New York. It was later sold in 2015 and subsequently acquired out of Florida by the seller in 2023 after a period of disuse. Following its relocation to Arizona, the car underwent a cylinder head overhaul and rebuilds of its triple SU carburettors. The 3.8-litre inline-six was factory rated at 265 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and the recent work in 2023 and 2024 also included replacing various seals and gaskets. The seller notes an oil leak, and the radiator is said to be fitted with an electric fan.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a retrofitted T5 five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The car rides on 15-inch wire-spoke wheels secured by two-eared knock-offs and mounted with 205/70 Dunlop Sp50 tyres. Braking is provided by four-wheel discs with Wilwood calipers up front and inboard-mounted Girling units at the rear. The cabin was re-trimmed in tan leather at some point under previous ownership, and the bucket seats are paired with lap belts. A black vinyl-trimmed dash houses Smiths instrumentation, including a 160-mph speedometer and a 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset quartz clock. Auxiliary gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage sit in the centre of the dashboard. A wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and a wood shift knob are also fitted, along with a Kicker digital media receiver linked to speakers on either side of the central tunnel. Other appointments include a heater and a sliding rearview mirror.
Originally finished in Pearl Grey with a black soft top, the car underwent a colour change to black under previous ownership. It now features a tan soft top and is accompanied by a body-colour removable hardtop. A replacement tan convertible top boot was sourced in November 2024. Series I E-Types are distinguished by covered headlights and taillights mounted above the rear bumpers. This example also has a louvered clamshell hood, Lucas PL-branded headlamps, triple windshield wipers, bullet-style side mirrors, and wraparound bumpers. The seller notes various cosmetic imperfections around the body.
The five-digit odometer shows 60,000 miles, less than 1,000 of which were added under current ownership. The Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace certificate confirms the original colours and drivetrain numbers as well as the build and dispatch dates. The cylinder-head and block stampings are shown to match the number provided by the Trust. Photos taken at various stages of the engine work are included in the gallery. The car is offered with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, recent service records, and a clean Arizona title.
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