A Piece Of Le Mans, The Solar Productions 1970 Jaguar E-Type Film Set Car For Sale
The Series II Jaguar E-Type used on the set of the iconic Steve McQueen film Le Mans by SOLAR Productions has come up for sale directly from the movies on site chef.
Fredy Zurbrügg is offering the car at the Bonhams Monaco Sale, during the 2022 Monaco Historic Grand Prix, on 13 May. Bonhams Les Grand Marques a Monaco
The Swiss registered E-Type is a 1970 4.2 litre roadster and will be offered with its original period UK number plates and has a sizable estimate of €250,000 – 350,000 but has no reserve.
The car is a US specification Series II and still retains its original silver over black colour scheme and is unrestored. The condition of the car is extremely good and is testimony to the care is has receive from owner Zurbrügg, who can be seen sitting in the car in the photographs.
Fredy was a young chef when he was approached by the movie company’s production manager, Hubert Fröhlich, to work on an upcoming Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the sixth in the series which was partly filmed on location in his native home of Switzerland.
Hubert Fröhlich was so pleased with Fredy, he offered him further work on his next production Le Mans, which of course was filmed on location in the circuit of Le Mans.
The crew built their own compound which they called Solar Village and Fredy bought his own kitchen with him from St. Gallen. He was catering for 800 cast and crew including Steve McQueen. For the star Zurbrügg created a special dish known as the Steve Steak.
Fredy stated in an interview for the book from 2017 of Our Le Mans, in a dedicated chapter on the story of the car that his encounters with the leading actor were “always friendly.”
The documentary DVD of the same year, Remember Le Mans, which offer personal insights into the filming by supporting actor Siegfried Rauch and other cast and crew.
The amount of friendliness between the stars and the crew extended to Fredy being offered a special gift from the star himself from his personal fleet. He could choose one of the cars, a Jaguar, a Porsche 9ll, a Mercedes Pagoda SL.
“I decided on the silver Jaguar, a convertible E-Type Series II with only 600 miles on the speedo. It was a US version because it was supposed to be shipped back to America.”
Back then Fredy couldn’t drive, but gained his license in Le Mans “on my second attempt on 17 October 1970.”
Fredy took the car back home to Switzerland and at the border told the customs officer that “I had the Jaguar and two crates of cognac to declare.”
In the 52 years of ownership the Jaguar has been used lightly, the low odometer reading of under 46,000 is testimony to that.
“For many years I had no idea that I owned something so valuable,” said the now nearly 80-year old Fredy, adding that it is time for the car to be enjoyed by a new custodian.
Now for sale for the first time since 1970, this totally original E-type complete with original British registration plates and the on set photograph. Possibly one of the last pieces of Le Mans and links to the film’s star Steve McQueen.
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