One of the most desirable and iconic sports cars of the last century - the 1963 Jaguar E-Type - has been put up for auction in the UK. The reason for the huge interest is not only in the status of the model, but also in its owner - star actor and renowned car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson.
The car, which is expected to fetch several hundred thousand dollars at the auction organized by the website Iconic, is part of the actor's personal collection, which over the years has included such notable machines as the McLaren F1, Aston Martin V8 and Lancia Delta Integrale.
E-Type with a cinematic biography
The particular Jaguar E-Type coupe has a particularly interesting history, as it starred alongside Atkinson in the 2022 television series “Bee Man“. After filming, the actor, known for his role as Mr. Bean, decided to buy the car.
During filming, the car had suffered significant damage - a broken rear window, a destroyed front panel and deliberately made holes in the bodywork, imposed by the script. Atkinson bought the car in this condition and undertook a complete restoration, including a new repaint. The only "scar" that the actor decided to keep is a single hole in the rear left wing, which was drilled by him personally during filming.
The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most key models of the 1960s and it is no coincidence that Enzo Ferrari defined it as "the most beautiful car of all time". This particular 1963 model is equipped with the brand's classic 3.8-liter straight-six engine.
Power: 265 horsepower.
Transmission: 4-speed manual gearbox.
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.9 seconds.
Top speed: 240 km/h.
The sale of this example offers the future owner not just a classic sports car, but a piece of film and automotive history directly related to one of Britain's most beloved actors.