In 1961, the
Jaguar E-Type saw the light of life as the successor to the famous XK
120, 140 and 150 series. The E-Type was introduced at The Salon car show
in Geneva on 15 March, and it was a smashing success of its sublime
design and the technical concept. Salient point in this introduction in
Geneva was that the E-Type ‘show car’ was ready for presentation
just in time. In order to be in Geneva in time, the prototype with
Jaguar PR man Bob Berry at the wheel had to make a crazy nocturnal ride
from Coventry to Geneva. Bob left on 14 March 1961 at 19:00 hours. The
weather was bad, and after the ferry he had to conquer many country
roads, mountain tracks and passes. Speeding up to 220 kilometers an hour,
Bob raced towards his destination, all on his own in the E-Type
prototype. Bob arrived with his E-Type in one piece in Geneva at 11:40
at the local Jaguar dealer, where the vehicle was prepared for its
introduction to the press at the Salon one hour and twenty minutes
later. It all turned out well, and the Jaguar E-Type scored a hit at the
1961 Geneva Salon.
The design of
the E-Type series as it was introduced in 1961 is of almost unearthly
beauty. Look at all the refined details: the bonnet, the headlights, the
back lights, the recess for the wheel housing and the back side, and you
will realize that you are looking at absolute, timeless beauty in
automobile design.
The E-Type
was also a jewel for its engineering: its bodywork was a steel monocoque
with a sub-frame attached in front of the cover in which the engine and
the wheel-suspension were housed. In the back, under the monocoque,
there was a second sub-frame to which the differential gear and the rear
suspension were attached. The E-Type was equipped with independent
wheel-suspension and disc brakes all round. The disc brakes in the back
were placed against the differential to limit unsprung weight.
The Jaguar
E-Type series I was supplied as a roadster and as a FHC (Fixed Head
Coupe). In principle, it was produced with the well-known XK 3.8-litre
engine producing 245 hp, but it had a difficult gear shift.
In 1964, it
was supplied with a 4.2-litre engine and a new gearbox which was built
in-house.
In 1966 a
more spacious 2+2 FHC variety came onto the market, with a longer
wheelbase and more space inside.
Between 1966
and 1968, the E-Type series 1.5 appeared, but the beautiful Perspex
headlight covers were removed to comply with American laws.
In 1968,
American legislation demanded additional changes, which resulted in the
Jaguar E-Type series II. The series II had higher-placed bumpers, which
made that another place had to be found for the indicator/ rear light
unit. A place was made for it below the bumpers. The E-Type series II
was also provided with a safety steering column and a cleaner 4.2-litre
engine.
In 1971 the
last E-Type version appeared: the series III. This series was the first
to be fitted with a 5.3-litre V12 engine with 265 hp. The outer
characteristics were changed once more. The E-Type series III was
furnished with rounded wheel screens, steel rims and a chrome grille.
But the most important news in the series III was that only two versions
were available: the 2+2 FHC and the roadster, both on the long 2+2
wheelbase. In 1973, the curtain was brought down on this car, which
played such an important role in the motorcar history.
Technical
data
aluminium 12
cylinder V engine
cylinder capacity: 5343 cc.
carburettors: 4x Zenith-Stromberg
175 CD 2SE
capacity: 276 DIN bhp. at 5850 rpm.
top-speed: 240 km/h. - 150 mph.
gearbox: 3-speed, automatic
weight: 1496 kg.
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