E Type Jag | A Classic Jaguar Car
Ranked #2,019 in Cars, #106,356 overall
Jag E-type - The Ultimate Classic Car
The E-type Jag was revealed in 1961 and became an instant classic. It was not only one of the best looking cars ever built (designed by Malcolm Sayer) it was fast, refined and for its class, cheap. An Aston Martin would be over £3,000 compared to an E-type at £2,000.
Jaguar XKE
Series l
It came with the 13-year old XK engine developing 265 bhp at 5,500rpm, a carry-over from the previous sporting Jaguar the Jaguar XK150S. In original road tests from the sixties it was capable of doing 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, and 0-120mph in 25.9 seconds. Top speed was over 150mph, although Jaguar later admitted that these early cars released as a test fleet to the press had been 'breathed' upon to make sure they could crack that magic 150mph figure, the super car bench mark of the day. The average owner of a standard version would only see around 140-145mph.In 1964 the engine size was increased to 4.2 litres improving the torque figure rather than power and so making the car easier to drive. It also got a better gearbox than the old Moss crash-box. A good 4.2 engined-car would pull 53mph in first, 82mph in second, 112mph in third, and could hit 120 mph in under 30 seconds. The engine is generally quite strong but the thinner-walled block can crack on occasions. Spares for the old Moss gearbox can be hard to find and a new clutch is an engine-out job on all models.
Appeals for a roomier car and an auto-box for the American market were answered in 1966 when a 2+2 version was released. This body-shell had an extra 9" in the wheelbase allowing for a small rear bench-seat and also more space between the chassis rails to allow an auto-box to be squeezed in. It was also the start of the downhill slope for the E-type as it also put on weight and started to become less of a sports car and more of a grand tourer.
Jaguar E-type Coupe, available at AllPosters
The Series ll E-type
A 2+2 and auto option arrives
Announced in October 1968 for the E Type Jag the rot had really set in as various modifications had to be made to aerodynamics and style to meet new American safety legislation. The headlight covers were removed and bumper heights had to be changed and worst of all the engine was strangled by the fitting of twin Zenith carburettors in place of the original triple SU carbs to meet emission laws. Power was down to a meagre 171bhp in the North American versions and power steering and air-conditioning were both now options, sapping power still further.The six-cylinder Jaguar E-types story ends in 1971 when it was replaced with the new V12 engined Series lll car, a much softer car that Jaguar actually struggled to sell the remaining few of in 1975 when the new XJ-S had been launched.
Jaguar E-type Convertible, poster available at AllPosters
Jaguar E-types from Flickr
Still one of the best looking cars ever built.
The Series lll V12
No longer a pure sports car
The long-wheelbase body shell was used on all the Jaguar E-type V12s providing better interior space at the expense of more weight and a reduction in performance.
Power was only marginally up but torque got a decent boost and was delivered at lower revs meaning the car was around 2 seconds faster to the magic ton than a six-cylinder car.
The Series lll improved refinement at the expense of driver appeal.
The V12 is a tough engine but serious over heating can cause it to be scrapped as the cylinder heads weld themselves to the block on the all-aluminium unit.
Convertibles invariably sell for more than the fixed-head coupés and the first of the Series l cars, known as the flat-floor models, are worth the most due to scarcity. They were only made for the first year of production, after which the footwells were recessed to create more leg space to remove complaints about lack of space in the car from taller drivers.
If you want a good standard sports car the Series l 4.2 seems to be the optimum in terms of performance and handling. If you are looking for a good touring car then the V12 has the edge with better refinement and comfort but at cost of less-sharp handling.
If you prefer two wheels to four then check out this piece I wrote on the classic Honda CB400F, or its bigger brother the six-cylinder Honda CBX1000.
Of course if you feel like slumming it you could go the poor man's option and get something much cheaper (but pretty much as fast) like a Triumph TR7 V8.
Power was only marginally up but torque got a decent boost and was delivered at lower revs meaning the car was around 2 seconds faster to the magic ton than a six-cylinder car.
The Series lll improved refinement at the expense of driver appeal.
The V12 is a tough engine but serious over heating can cause it to be scrapped as the cylinder heads weld themselves to the block on the all-aluminium unit.
Convertibles invariably sell for more than the fixed-head coupés and the first of the Series l cars, known as the flat-floor models, are worth the most due to scarcity. They were only made for the first year of production, after which the footwells were recessed to create more leg space to remove complaints about lack of space in the car from taller drivers.
If you want a good standard sports car the Series l 4.2 seems to be the optimum in terms of performance and handling. If you are looking for a good touring car then the V12 has the edge with better refinement and comfort but at cost of less-sharp handling.
If you prefer two wheels to four then check out this piece I wrote on the classic Honda CB400F, or its bigger brother the six-cylinder Honda CBX1000.
Of course if you feel like slumming it you could go the poor man's option and get something much cheaper (but pretty much as fast) like a Triumph TR7 V8.
OK, time to chip in your two cents worth...
comment away
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TheLittleCardShop
Nov 8, 2011 @ 8:03 pm | delete
- Jaguars are one of the most beautiful cars. Even the new models keep that elegant design.I have taken photos at classic car events and Jaguars are my fav. Great page :)
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bejeezers Jan 5, 2011 @ 3:46 pm | delete
- A classic that stands the test of time.
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Solitudinarian
Jan 6, 2011 @ 3:45 am | delete
- They still look fantastic, don't they?
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AndyPo
Nov 10, 2010 @ 10:47 am | delete
- Sorry. I forgot to add the link to the Jaguar Group Lens: http://www.squidoo.com/groups/jaguar-daimler-xj-xk-xk8-xkr-xj12-cars : Jaguar and Daimler Cars, Classic and Mordern
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Solitudinarian
Dec 3, 2010 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- Thanks for the links - and sorry it has taken me so long to get around to replying. The common financial problems limiting my Internet access, unfortunately.
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“The Jaguar E-type: The most beautiful car ever made!”
E-type info from Google
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The Glorious Holden Efijy Concept Car
Feel free to click on the link or the picture above to be taken on over to see the whole hub with more pictures and a video clip of the Efijy in action.
by Solitudinarian
A solitude lover, arch individualist, and the ultimate grumpy old man, who loves just ambling along. A tortoise in a hare's world. Give me a tree to s... more »
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Jaguar E Type
By Glen Smale
Jaguar E-type: Portrait of a design icon
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A great book on the E Type with some great photos.
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