Car lovers and Mr Bean fans alike have a new reason to get excited: Rowan Atkinson is selling one of the standout cars from his personal collection, the iconic 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-litre Coupé.
This is the very car that took a starring role – and some spectacular damage – in his Netflix comedy series Man vs Bee.
From On-Screen Chaos to Collector’s Item
At 70, Atkinson is as passionate about cars as he is about comedy.
Over the years, he has built a remarkable collection, including a McLaren F1 (which he famously crashed twice), an Aston Martin V8 Zagato, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Bentley Mulsanne Birkin Edition, and a BMW 328.
But it’s this Jaguar, wrecked for laughs during one of Man vs Bee’s wildest sequences, that’s now hitting the market.
In the show, the E-Type suffers comic destruction: a shattered rear window, a flaming dashboard, and even a diamond cutter slicing through the bodywork.
Yet, the car has been carefully restored to its former glory, with a new rear window, a retrimmed interior, and only a subtle hint of its TV antics visible on the nearside rear quarter.
A True Piece of Automotive History
The E-Type, finished in its original Opalescent Gunmetal Grey, is more than just a movie prop.
Originally supplied to the USA in left-hand drive and later returned to the UK in 1989, it has since been converted to right-hand drive.
Extensive cosmetic and mechanical work has ensured the car maintains its original charm, including new chrome fittings, fresh seats, door cards, and carpets.
Notably, the car retains its original matching-numbers engine block, with only a replacement cylinder head.
It’s chassis No. 2, registered 9600 HP, famously driven across Europe by Jaguar PR Director Bob Berry to make its sensational debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show.
At that launch, the E-Type set new standards for performance and style, with a top speed exceeding 150mph and 0-60mph in just seven seconds.
Enzo Ferrari himself called it “the most beautiful car ever made.”
Collector Appeal Meets Pop Culture
Auctioneer Nick Whale highlighted the unique combination of history and Hollywood in this listing.
“This E-Type offers a rare convergence of British motoring heritage and contemporary film, making it a true standout.
To be able to present a car personally owned by Rowan Atkinson and featured in a globally watched Netflix series is remarkable,” he said.
Auction Details
The Jaguar E-Type will go under the hammer without reserve at Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC event in Birmingham on November 9.
For collectors, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a car that blends cinematic fame with undeniable automotive pedigree.