Jaguar E-Type

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Jaguar E-Type

Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Parent company	British Leyland
Also called	Jaguar XK-E
Production	1961–1975
Assembly	Coventry, England
Predecessor	Jaguar XK150
Successor	Jaguar XJ-S
Class	Sports car
Layout	FR layout
Related	Jaguar D-Type Jaguar XJ13
Designer	Malcolm Sayer[1]

The Jaguar E-Type (UK) or XK-E (US) is a British automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1974. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring. A great success for Jaguar, over 70,000 E-Types were sold during its lifespan.

In March 2008, the Jaguar E-Type ranked first in Daily Telegraph list of the "100 most beautiful cars" of all time.^[2] In 2004, Sports Car International magazine placed the E-Type at number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Production versions 2.1 Series 1 (1961-1968) 2.2 Series 2 (1969-1971) 2.3 Series 3 (1971-1975) 3 Limited edtions 3.1 Low Drag Coupé (1962) 3.2 Lightweight E-Type (1963-1964) 4 Motor Sport 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] 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 Coupé) and as convertible (OTS or Open Two Seater). The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later.

On its release Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever 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.

[edit] Production versions

[edit] Series 1 (1961-1968)

Series I

Production	1961–1968[3] [4]
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door 2+2 coupe 2-door convertible
Engine(s)	3.8 L XK I6 4.2 L XK I6
Wheelbase	96.0 in (2438 mm) (FHC / OTS) 105.0 in (2667 mm) (2+2) [5]
Length	175.3125 in (4453 mm) (FHC / OTS) 184.4375 in (4685 mm) (2+2) [5]
Width	65.25 in (1657 mm) (all) [5]
Height	48.125 in (1222 mm) (FHC) 50.125 in (1273 mm) (2+2) 46.5 in (1181 mm) (OTS)[5]
Curb weight	2,900 lb (1,315 kg) (FHC) 2,770 lb (1,256 kg) (OTS) 3,090 lb (1,402 kg) (2+2) [6]
Fuel capacity	63.64 L (16.8 US gal; 14.0 imp gal)[5]

The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market launch came four months later in July 1961.^[7] The cars at this time used 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 (bonnet) 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 October 1964.^[7]

All E-Types featured independent coil spring rear suspension with torsion bar front ends, and four wheel disc brakes, in-board at the rear, all were power-assisted. Jaguar was one of the first auto manufacturer to equip cars with disc brakes as standard from the XK150 in 1958. 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 Spoked 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 9 in (229 mm) longer and the roof angles are different with a more vertical windscreen. 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. Due to 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.

Less widely known, there was also right at the end of Series 1 production and prior to the transitional "Series 1½" referred to above, a very small number of Series 1 cars produced with open headlights.^[8] These are sometimes referred to as "Series 1¼" cars.^[9] Production dates on these machines vary but in right hand drive form production has been verified as late as March 1968. ^[10] It is thought that the low number of these cars produced relative to the other Series make them amongst the rarest of all production E Types.

An open 3.8 litre car, actually the first such production car to be completed, was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1961 and had a top speed of 149.1 mph (240.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.3 miles per imperial gallon (13.3 L/100 km; 17.7 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £2097 including taxes. ^[11]

Production numbers from Graham^[12]:

• 15,490 3.8s
• 17,320 4.2s
• 10,930 2+2s

Production numbers from xkedata.com^[13]:

	FHC	OTS	2+2	Total
S1 3.8	7,670	7,828	0	15,498
S1 4.2	5,830	6,749	3,616	16,195
S1.5	1,942	2,801	1,983	6,726
TOTAL				38,419

[edit] Series 2 (1969-1971)

Series II

1970 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
Production	1969–1971[3] [4]
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door 2+2 coupe 2-door convertible
Engine(s)	4.2 L XK I6
Curb weight	3,018 lb (1,369 kg) (FHC) 2,750 lb (1,247 kg) (OTS) 3,090 lb (1,402 kg) (2+2) [6]

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 rocker switches that met U.S health and safety regulations being substituted for toggle switches. 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.

Production according to Graham^[12] is 13,490 of all types.

Series 2 production numbers from xkedata.com^[13]:

	FHC	OTS	2+2	TOTAL
S2	4,855	8,628	5,326	18,809

Official delivery numbers by market and year are listed in Porter^[3] but no summary totals are given.

[edit] Series 3 (1971-1975)

Series III

1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III convertible (North America)
Production	1971–1975
Body style(s)	2-door 2+2 coupe 2-door convertible
Engine(s)	5.3 L Jaguar V12
Wheelbase	105 in (2667 mm) (both)[6]
Length	184.4 in (4684 mm) (2+2) 184.5 in (4686 mm) (OTS)[6]
Width	66.0 in (1676 mm) (2+2) 66.1 in (1679 mm) (OTS)[6]
Height	48.9 in (1242 mm) (2+2) 48.1 in (1222 mm) (OTS)[6]
Curb weight	3,361 lb (1,525 kg) (2+2) 3,380 lb (1,533 kg) (OTS)[6]
Fuel capacity	82 L (21.7 US gal; 18.0 imp gal)[14]

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 floorplan. It is easily identifiable by the large cross-slatted front grille, 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.

In 2008 a British classic car enthusiast assembled what is surely the last ever E-Type from parts bought from the end-of-production surplus in 1974.^[15]

Graham^[12] lists production at 15,290.

Series 3 production numbers from xkedata.com^[13]:

	FHC	OTS	2+2	TOTAL
S3	0	7,990	7,297	15,287

[edit] Limited edtions

Two limited production E-Type variants were made as test beds, the Low Drag Coupe and Lightweight E-Type, both of which were raced:

[edit] 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 Jaguar's 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Motor Sport

Bob Jane won the 1963 Australian GT Championship at the wheel of an E-Type.

The Jaguar E-Type was very successful in SCCA Production sports car racing with Group44 and Bob Tullius taking the B-Production championship with a Series-3 V12 racer in 1975. A few years later, Gran-Turismo Jaguar from Cleveland Ohio campaigned a 4.2 L 6 cylinder FHC racer in SCCA production series and in 1980, won the National Championship in the SCCA C-Production Class defeating a fully funded factory Nissan Z-car team with Paul Newman.

[edit] See also

• Jaguar XK150 - predecessor to the E-Type
• Jaguar XJS - successor to the E-Type
• Jaguar XK8 - The E-Type's current and spiritual successor

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jaguar E-Type

• Jaguar E-Type at the Open Directory Project
• www.xkedata.com Volunteer register with thousands of E-Types and tens of thousands of photos

v • d • e Jaguar Cars road and race car timeline, 1940s–1970s — next »
Type	1940s					1950s										1960s										1970s
	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Sports				XK120							XK140			XK150			E-type S1							E S2			E-type S3				XJ-S
Saloon											Mark 1					Mark 2, 240, 340
																				S-Type											XJ-C
																						420		XJ6 S1						XJ6 S2
	Mk IV				Mk V			Mk VII				Mk VIII			Mk IX			Mk X				420G						XJ12 S1		XJ12 S2
Supercar														XKSS
Racing							C-Type			D-Type								E-Type				XJ13										XJ-C		XJ41 / XJ42
Ownership	Independent																					BMH		British Leyland