Rowan Atkinson's Jaguar E-Type For Sale

Few cars have worn the passage of time as gracefully as the Jaguar E-Type. Six decades after its debut, Malcolm Sayer’s long-bonneted coupé remains one of the most recognisable shapes in automotive history. Among the many examples still cherished by collectors, one in particular now draws attention for all the right reasons: Rowan Atkinson’s own 1963 E-Type Series I 3.8 Coupé, which heads to auction with Iconic Auctioneers at the NEC Classic Motor Show this November.

A committed enthusiast, driver and regular Goodwood racer, Atkinson has long sought cars that reward both care and engagement, and this Series I exemplifies that philosophy. Its cinematic fame adds another layer: the car starred alongside him in Netflix’s 2022 comedy series Man vs Bee, where it became an unwitting participant in a series of increasingly chaotic encounters with a certain insect. Viewers may recall the shattered rear window, the dashboard struck with a crowbar, and a diamond cutter applied to the bodywork, all in pursuit of the elusive bee. Following filming, the car was meticulously repaired, with a small section of the nearside rear quarter deliberately left unrestored, preserving a subtle trace of its on-screen exploits and Atkinson’s own sense of humour.

Beneath the story lies a properly sorted early Series I coupé. Originally delivered to the United States in left-hand-drive form, it returned to the UK in 1989 and was converted to right-hand drive. In Atkinson’s ownership, it has received careful cosmetic and mechanical attention: new chrome fittings, a fully retrimmed interior with fresh seats, door cards and carpets, and an SS exhaust system. The car retains its original matching-numbers engine block, although, as with many early examples, it now carries a replacement cylinder head.

Offered without reserve (and no official estimate...), this E-Type combines all the elements a discerning collector might seek: an early Series I 3.8-litre coupé in the model’s most iconic colour, celebrity ownership, and genuine screen history in a globally successful production. With the sequel, Man vs Baby, due for release this Christmas, its fame is set to grow. A rare opportunity to acquire a car that is, in every sense, a true icon of British motoring, offered directly from Rowan Atkinson CBE himself.