Overview
The E-Type was initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourer in two seater Coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupe) and as a convertible
(Roadster or OTS - Open Two Seater). The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later.
When released, Enzo Ferrari said, "It is the most beautiful car ever made, and one I wish I had made".
The model was made in 3 distinct versions generally referred to as "Series 1", "Series 2" and "Series 3". A transitional series between Series 1 and
Series 2 is known unofficially as "Series 1½".
In addition, several limited-edition variants were produced:
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 after by collectors.
The "Low Drag Coupé" 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.
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Series 1 (1961-1967)
The Series 1 was introduced in March 1961, using the triple SU carburetted 3.8 litre 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S.
The first 500 cars built had flat floors and external hood latches.
These cars are rare and more valuable. After that, the floors were dished to
provide more leg room and the twin hood latches moved to inside the car. The 3.8 litre engine was increased to 4.2 litres in late 1964.
All E-Types featured independent rear suspension with torsion bar front ends, and power-assisted disc brakes. Jaguar was the first auto manufacturer to equip cars with disc brakes as standard.
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| Production |
1961 - 1967 |
| Body style(s) |
2-door Coupé
2-door convertible |
| Engine(s) |
3.8 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6 |
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The Series 1 can be recognised by glass covered headlights (up to 1967), small "mouth" opening at the front, signal lights and tail-lights above
bumpers and exhaust tips under the licence plate in the rear.
3.8 litre cars have leather-upholstered bucket seats, an aluminium-trimmed centre instrument panel and console (changed to vinyl and leather in 1963),
and a 4-speed gearbox that lacks synchromesh for 1st gear ("Moss box"). 4.2 litre cars have more comfortable seats, improved brakes and electrical
systems, and an all-synchromesh 4-speed gearbox. 4.2 litre cars also have a badge on the boot proclaiming "Jaguar 4.2 Litre E-Type" (3.8 cars have a
simple "Jaguar" badge). Optional extras included Chrome Wire wheels and a detachable hard top for the Open Two Seater.
A 2+2 version of the Coupé was added in 1966. The 2+2 offered the option of an automatic transmission. The body is slightly longer and the roof angles
are different. The roadster remained a strict two-seater.
There was a transitional series of cars built in 1967-68, unofficially called "Series 1½", which are externally similar to Series 1 cars. Because of
the American pressure the new features were open headlights, different switches, and some de-tuning (with a downgrade of twin Zenith- Stromberg carbs
from the original triple SU carbs) for US models. Some Series 1½ cars also have twin cooling fans and adjustable seat backs. Series 2 features were
gradually introduced into the Series 1, creating the unofficial Series 1½ cars, but always with the Series 1 body style.
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Series 2 (1968-1971)
Open headlights without glass covers, a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators and taillights below the bumpers, better
cooling aided by an enlarged "mouth" and twin electric fans, and uprated brakes are hallmarks of Series 2 cars. De-tuned in US, but still with triple
SUs in the UK, the engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial 'ribbed' appearance. Late
Series 1½ cars also had ribbed cam covers.
The interior and dashboard were also redesigned, with flick switches being substituted for rocker switches
that met U.S health and safety regulations. The dashboard switches also lost their symmetrical layout. New seats were fitted, which purists claim
lacked the style of the originals but were certainly more comfortable. Air conditioning and power steering were available as factory options. It was
available in FHC, OTS, and 2+2 versions.
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1970 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
| Production |
1968 - 1971 |
| Body style(s) |
2-door Coupé
2-door 2+2 Coupé
2-door convertible |
| Engine(s) |
4.2 L XK I6 |
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Series 3 (1971-1975)
A new 5.3 L 12-cylinder Jaguar V12 engine was introduced, with uprated brakes and standard power steering. The short wheelbase FHC body style was
discontinued and the V12 was available only as a convertible and 2+2 Coupé.
The convertible used the longer-wheelbase 2+2 floorpan. It is easily
identifiable by the aggressive, slatted front grill in place of the mouth of earlier cars, flared wheel arches and a badge on the rear that proclaims
it to be a V12.
There were also a very limited number of 4.2 litre six cylinder Series 3 E-Types built. These were featured in the initial sales
literature. It is believed these are the rarest of all E-Types of any remaining.
|
 |
| Production |
1971 - 1975 |
| Body style(s) |
2-door 2+2 Coupé
2-door convertible |
| Engine(s) |
5.3 L Jaguar V12 |
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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. One car was built to test the concept designed as a Coupé as its
monocoque design could only be made rigid enough for racing by using the "stressed skin" principle. Previous Jaguar racers were built as open-top
cars because they were based on ladder frame designs with independent chassis and bodies. Unlike the steel production E-Types the LDC used lightweight
aluminium. Sayer retained the original tub with lighter outer panels riveted and glued to it.
The front steel sub frame remained intact, the windshield
was given a more pronounced slope and the rear hatch welded shut. Rear brake cooling ducts appeared next to the rear windows,and the interior trim was
discarded, with only insulation around the transmission tunnel. With the exception of the windscreen, all cockpit glass was plexi. A tuned version of
Jaguars 3.8 litre engine with a wide angle cylinder-head design tested on the D-Type racers was used. Air management became a major problem and,
although much sexier looking and certainly faster than a production E-Type, the car was never competitive: the faster it went, the more it wanted to do
what its design dictated: take off.
The one and only test bed car was completed 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.
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Lightweight E-Type (1963-1964)
In some ways, this was an evolution of the Low Drag Coupé. It made extensive use of aluminium 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 litre Jaguar engine with 300 bhp
(224 kW) output rather than the 265 bhp (198 kW) 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, unlike the C-Type and D-Type racing cars, they did not win at Le Mans or Sebring.
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Model Timeline
This page uses some material from Wikipedia .
under the GNU Free Documentation License
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