Slick Jaguar E-Type straight out of James Bond film Casino Royale hits auction for eye-watering price
A RARE Jaguar identical to James Bond’s Casino Royale ride has hit auction for an eye-watering price.
The 1968 E-type is a mirror image of the motor that chased David Niven in the beloved parody the previous year.
While the car in that film was a 1962 model, this later example is its direct descendant and retains most of the classic design features while adding a bit in terms of performance.
It has undergone a £130,000 restoration by Essex-based CL Classics to get it in tip-top running condition.
The car was originally sold in Missouri but was reimported to the UK some years later and converted to right-hand drive.
Modern conveniences like electronic ignition and sound deadening give it the comfort of a 21st Century car without ridding it of its ’60s spirit.
The straight-six engine from a Jaguar XK gives it a decent 245 horsepower and driveability has been improved with a conversion from automatic to five-speed manual transmission.
Auctioneers Car and Classic said: “This beautifully presented E-Type is perhaps as close to viewing a showroom-fresh example as we are likely to get without access to time travel.
“It is exquisite, demonstrating why these cars have proved so enduring.
“Wherever your eye lands appears to have been either refurbished or retrimmed and with little use since it looks just as it surely did the moment it was fitted.
“It has been nicely specified in a combination of red and black, the retrimmed seats, door cards and rear load area combining with the trimmed centre console to create a harmonious and welcoming space.”
The E-type appeared briefly in official Bond film Thunderball and was used for a car chase in the original Casino Royale.
It also popped up in Bond novel Carte Blanche, written in 2011 with the blessing of Ian Fleming Publishing, where it was described as “the sexiest car in the history of motoring.”
This is likely merits it’s whopping guide price of £50,500.
The auction ends at 7.15pm tomorrow and the reserve price has already been met so petrolheads only have a few hours to snap it up.
It comes after a Ford Cortina dubbed the “most significant vehicle ever” hit auction this week.
Meanwhile, F1 legend Michal Schumacher’s most prized racing gear is up for sale, including his iconic helmet.