Austin Powers 'Shaguar' E-Type Jaguar up for sale

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The car from the swinging sixties-themed Austin Powers film trilogy – dubbed the 'Shaguar' by the rambunctious spy – will go under the hammer at Mecum Auctions in the United States on 18 January 2025.

Designed to match the ostentatious, over-the-top swagger of Mike Myer's spoof character, Austin Powers – taking the mickey out of the classic British spy genre – the Shaguar's Union flag livery helps it scream 'Great Britain' louder than a royal scandal.

A contrast to the understated grey Aston Martins – among others – of the more serious James Bond, the Shaguar also wears classic knock-off wire wheels and 'Shaguar' rear decklid badging for a thoroughly shagadelic result.

The car is a 1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series I (sold as the 'XK-E' in the United States) and is powered by a 4.2-litre straight-six petrol engine with a four-speed manual transmission and a classic blue leather interior with wooden-rimmed steering wheel and gear knob.

Current owner Josh Hancock said he acquired the car after it was won in a contest – with the winner immediately off-loading it – following its appearance in all three Austin Powers films made between 1997 and 2001.

"At the time, the film didn't have the money to double the car, which – in any movie you'll find the car's at least doubled, you'll find some movies you'll have six, eight examples of the same car to get shot – so it was very nerve-racking for the production that there was only one car," he said in a YouTube clip accompanying the Mecum Auctions listing.

It was also used in the music video for Madonna's Beautiful Stranger 1999 hit single, where Mike Myers appeared as Austin Powers, with Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me released the same year.

Offered with two letters of authenticity, the Shaguar was restored by Jaguar in the mid-2000s and was somewhat maintained by the British car maker as a form of payment for borrowing it for promotional duties.

Jaguar recently launched its new branding, having paused car production as it reinvents itself as an even more upmarket, electric only brand, with critics saying the British brand has ignored its history, typified by the iconic E-Type.

Is Austin Powers’ Shaguar worth – pinkie up – "One million dollars", as the films’ Doctor Evil might say?

While there's no reserve published with the listing, Mecum auctioned a similar Series I Roadster with the same 4.2-litre engine – in pristine original condition – in January 2024 for $US140,000 ($AU215,285).

As a one-of-one, there's no real guide on what the Shaguar's movie credentials may bring, with Classic.com data showing a top selling price of $US390,000 ($AU599,500) and an average of $US115,000 ($AU177,000).

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