Slick Jaguar E-Type straight out of James Bond film Casino Royale hits auction for eye-watering price
A RARE Jaguar straight out of James Bond’s ‘Casino Royale’ ride has been auctioned off at a stunning price.
The 1968 E-Type is a reflection of the engine that pursued David Niven in the popular parody the previous year.
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While the car featured in the film was a 1962 model, this later example is its direct descendant and retains most of the classic design cues, but offers a little more power.
It has undergone a £130,000 restoration by Essex-based CL Classics to bring it into pristine running condition.
The car was originally sold in Missouri but was re-imported to the UK a few years later and converted to right-hand drive.
Modern conveniences such as electronic ignition and noise dampening give it the comfort of a 21st century car without taking away the spirit of the 1960s.
A Jaguar’s straight-six engine
Auctioneers Car and Classic said, “This beautifully presented E-Type is perhaps as close to an exhibition-fresh example as we would likely get without access to time travel.”
“It’s exquisite and shows why these cars have proven to be so durable.”
“Wherever your eye lands, it appears to have either been refurbished or retrimmed and little used as it looks exactly as it did when it was fitted.
“It was beautifully designed in a combination of red and black. The redesigned seats, door panels and rear cargo area combine with the redesigned center console to create a harmonious and inviting space.”
The E-Type made a brief appearance in the official Bond film Thunderball and was used in a car chase in the original Casino Royale.
It also appeared in the 2011 Bond novel Carte Blanche, written with the permission of Ian Fleming Publishing, where it was described as “the sexiest car in automotive history”.
That should justify the whopping £50,500 guide price.
The auction ends tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. and the reserve price has already been reached, leaving car fans with only a few hours to secure the bid.
This comes after a Ford Cortina that has been dubbed the “most significant vehicle of all time” was auctioned off this week.
Meanwhile, F1 legend Michal Schumacher’s most prized racing gear is up for sale, including his iconic helmet.
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