1961 Jaguar XKE Series 1 3.8 OTS, Outside Bonnet Latch

The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market launch came four months later in July 1961. The cars at this time used the triple SU carbureted 3.8 liter 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S. The first 300 cars built had flat floors and external hood (bonnet) latches. These cars are rare and more valuable. The outside bonnet latch is the most sought after of all the Series I E types. Only 500 external bonnet latch cars were made, of those, 385 were left-hand drive roadsters, 20 left hand drive coupes, 91 right hand drive roadsters, and 4 right-hand drive coupes. After that, the floors were dished to provide more leg room and the twin hood latches moved to inside the car. The 3.8 liter engine was increased to 4.2 liters in October 1964. This is a California car that is complete and has the features that so many collectors look for, which are: flat floor, welded louvers, outside bonnet latches, low number production car, and matching numbers.