Jaguar E-type
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The Jaguar E-type or XK-E is an automobile manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1961 and 1975. The E-type revolutionised sportscar design, with performance, handling and looks ahead of its time. It was priced well below similar models, helping it to huge sales. In excess of 70,000 E-types were sold over 14 years.
In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number one on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.
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Overview
The E-type was initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourer in two seater coupé form. The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later. The convertible was introduced primarily to appeal to the American market.
The model was made in 3 distinct revisions generally referred to as "Series 1", "Series 2" and "Series 3".
In addition, several limited-edition variants were produced:
- The "Low Drag Coupé" which was a one-off technical exercise which was ultimately sold to a Jaguar racing driver. It is presently believed to be part of the private collection of the current Viscount Cowdray.
- The "'Lightweight' E-Type" which was apparently intended as a sort of follow-up to the D-type. Jaguar planned to produce 18 units but ultimately only a dozen were reportedly built. Of those, one is known to have been destroyed and two others have been converted to coupé form. These are exceedingly rare and sought by collectors.
Series 1 (1961-1968)
The Series 1 was introduced in March 1961, using the 3.8 litre Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150. Replaced by 4.2 litre engine in 1965.
The Series 1 can be recognised by the following features:
- Small "mouth" opening at the front.
- Signal lights above bumpers.
- Exhaust tips are under the license plate in the rear.
- Glass covered headlights.
3.8 liter cars had rounded seats, and aluminum dashboards. 4.2 liter cars had more comfortable seats and fabric covered dashboards. 4.2 liter cars also had a badge on the boot (trunk) proclaiming "Jaguar 4.2 Liter E-type" (3.8 cars just said "Jaguar"). 4.2 cars also had a full-synchro gearbox.
There was a series of cars built in 1967-68, unofficially called "Series 1½", which were externally similar to series 1 cars. The only new features were open the headlights and some de-tuning (with a downgrade of twin Zenith-Stromberg carbs, from the original triple SU carbs) for US models.
The 2+2 version of the coupé appeared in 1966. The roadster remained a strict two-seater.
Series 2 (1969-1970)
Uprated brakes, bigger bumpers. De-tuned in US.
Series 3 (1971-1975)
A new 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine was introduced, with uprated brakes and standard power steering.
Low Drag Coupé (1962)
Shortly after the introduction of the E-type, Jaguar management wanted to investigate the possibility of building a car more in the spirit of the D-type racer from which elements of the E-type's styling and design were derived. The first car was built to test the concept. It was designed exclusively as a coupé since aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer understood that a closed-top car is easier to make light and aerodynamic - unlike previous Jaguar racers which were exclusively build as open-top cars. Unlike the production E-types which used steel bodies, the LDC used lightweight (but more expensive and difficult to produce)aluminum. The chassis remained steel. It used a tuned version of Jaguars 3.8 liter engine with an experimental cylinder-head design they had tested in Le Mans racers.
The vehicle was complete in summer of 1962 but was sold a year later to Jaguar racing driver Dick Protheroe who raced it extensively and eventually sold it. Since then it has passed through the hands of several collectors on both sides of the Atlantic and now is believed to reside in the private collection of the current Viscount Cowdray.
Lightweight E-type (1963-1964)
In some ways, this was an evolution of the Low Drag Coupé. It made extensive use of aluminum alloy in the body panels and other components. However, with at least one exception, it remained an open-top car in the spirit of the D-type to which this car is a more direct successor than the production E-type which is more of a GT than a sports car. The cars used a tuned version of the production 3.8 liter Jaguar engine with 300bhp output rather than the 265bhp produced by the "ordinary" version. At least one car is known to have been fitted with fuel-injection.
The cars were entered in various races but did not earn any victories in Le Mans or Sebring like their illustrious predecessors.
See also
- Jaguar XK150 - predeccessor to the E-type
- Jaguar XJS - successor to the E-type
- Lamborghini Miura - Another sportscar from the era, with a similar heritage.
External links
- www.jaguar-e-type.net (fansite) (http://www.jaguar-e-type.net/)
- XKE Data (online registry with thousands of cars) (http://www.xkedata.com/)