Significance
Only a few automobiles capture the romance, elegance, and sporting spirit of the 1960s quite like the Jaguar E-Type. Introduced in 1961, the E-Type immediately established itself as one of the defining sports cars of its era, combining breathtaking design, sophisticated engineering, and performance that rivaled far more expensive machinery. Enzo Ferrari famously called it “the most beautiful car ever made,” a distinction that has become inseparable from the E-Type’s enduring legacy.
Beneath its beautiful exterior lies the engineering that made the E-Type such a landmark. Its 4.2-liter inline-six delivers effortless torque and a wonderfully characterful driving experience, while the fully independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and monocoque construction reflect Jaguar’s remarkable technical ambition for the period. The result is a car that is not simply beautiful to admire, but genuinely rewarding to drive.
The 1966 E-Type Coupe occupies a compelling place in the collector-car world: early enough to retain the purity of the original Series 1 design, yet benefiting from the larger 4.2-liter engine and the refinements that make it such a satisfying grand touring sports car. Its appeal extends beyond outright performance or investment potential. It is a car with genuine cultural significance, recognized around the world as one of the great achievements in automotive design.
For the discerning enthusiast, this Jaguar offers an opportunity to acquire far more than a classic sports car. It is a piece of British motoring history, a design masterpiece, and an enduring expression of an era when performance and beauty were inseparable. In its striking red-over-tan livery and extremely good condition, this E-Type Coupe is equally suited to spirited weekend drives, distinguished concours lawns, or simply being admired in a carefully curated collection.
Some automobiles become classics because of their rarity. Others because of their performance. The Jaguar E-Type endures because it delivers both emotion and substance in a form that has scarcely lost its power to captivate. Few cars make such a compelling case for ownership.
About this vehicle
Some cars are simply owned. Others are looked after for decades by one person who knows every bolt and part, 65k to be exact. This 1966 E-Type 4.2 litre Coupé is one of the latter.
Carl Madson bought this beautiful Jaguar in 1985 from his house mate in graduate school. For most of the next four decades the car was Carl’s weekend devotion. He restored this lovely machine with passion, patience, and the help of local expert shops. Her nickname became “Kitty,” “Gattino Rosso,” and his wife Carol referred to her as “The Mistress.” Anyone who knew Carl will tell you he felt lucky to be the caretaker of this car. You’ll witness the quality in every detail.
Carl passed away in 2019, and Carol has meticulously maintained the Kitty since then, including a recent engine refresh. The car is now ready to begin her next chapter with a new caretaker.
Carl’s passion for this car produced a concours-ready E-Type that has never been driven in the rain and has always been covered in the garage. The Kitty won awards from multiple concours, including the Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance and the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance. This car was featured several times in E-Type Magazine capturing the highest compliment, the front cover with a multi-page article. Her red color is nicknamed “Signal Red” with the color code, CMU 8411B. This exact BASF paint is recorded in the restoration files provided.
Ten archive boxes are provided with the car, including the original parts replaced during the full-frame up restoration. A meticulous archive of all receipts and history, including a binder showing provenance telling her 40-year story with the Madson’s. There’s a log binder which holds all restoration receipts, the awards won, the listing of all original parts replaced during the restorations and more. Carol wrote out detailed instructions to guide the next custodian on how to maintain the car. Few E-Types come with a record this complete, and fewer still have had this much passion put into them.
Offered from the San Francisco Bay Area, this is an award-winning Series 1 4.2 liter coupé.
