As much as we adore the Jaguar F-Type, it can't match the allure of an original E-Type. Famously described by Enzo Ferrari as "the most beautiful car ever made," the E-Type celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. Jaguar commemorated the milestone with the E-Type 60 Collection featuring six pairs of restored 3.8 E-Types inspired by the two cars that debuted in Geneva back in 1961.

Now, E-Type UK, one of the leading restorers of the iconic British sports car, has painstakingly restored a gorgeous 1964 Series 1 FHC Jaguar E-Type back to its former glory with additional chassis upgrades that meet modern sports car standards.

When it was new, the Series 1 coupe was ordered in left-hand drive in Norway with a Pearl Grey exterior paint finish and a Dark Blue leather interior, which was a rare color combination for the time.

As part of the E-Type's meticulous 3,500-hour restoration, each panel is sandblasted to remove rust that ruined the bodywork over the last 50 years. Each is also primed to prevent more rust from developing. For this example, E-Type UK created new floors, sills, rear chassis, gearbox tunnel, bulkhead, inner and outer rear wings, and a new hood. The body is repainted in the original car's striking Pearl Grey lacquer before being finished in another high-quality lacquer and hand-polished.

To upgrade the E-Type to modern standards, the restorer has fitted an independent rear suspension for a smoother, more comfortable ride, along with new bearings, universal joints, brake lines and coilovers at each corner.

Other upgrades include four-pot brake calipers, performance brake pads, and a modern independent handbrake system. Under the hood, the E-Type Series 1's 3.8-liter XK engine was fully restored and upgraded with a new straight-six fuel injection system to enhance the performance. The engine bay also benefits from an uprated alternator, electronic ignition, and a high torque starter among other upgrades.

A new five-speed gearbox replaces the original E-Type's four-speed transmission to "ensure less engine strain and a more precise selection of individual gears." Inside, the original car's Dark Blue leather interior has been faithfully recreated and retrimmed with Dark Blue leather applied to the seats and dashboard.