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
Six cylinder
engine
cylinder capacity: 4235 cc.
carburettors: 3x S.U.
capacity: 265 bhp.
top-speed: approx. 150 mph. - 240 km/h.
(factory specification)
gearbox: 4-speed manual.
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