Introduced in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type made an unforgettable impact with its striking design and a top speed of 150mph.
It’s hard to imagine a new car making such waves today, but in 1961, Jaguar offered a refined production sports car that resembled a Le Mans prototype and could outperform almost anything else on the road—all at a relatively affordable price.
A direct successor to the racing D-Type, the E-Type featured a monocoque tub main structure with tubular space frames supporting the engine.
Initially powered by a 3.8-liter, triple-carburetor ‘S’ unit (which had first been offered as an option on the XK150), it produced 265 horsepower.
The E-Type’s performance was impressive, partly due to its lighter weight—around 500lb (227kg) less than the XK150—and partly because of the aerodynamic expertise of Malcolm Sayer, who used his experience from Le Mans to craft one of the most elegant and efficient shapes ever to grace a car.
A significant update came in October 1964 with the introduction of the 4.2-liter version.
Listing:
For sale on Classic Autotrader, this 1968 Jaguar E-Type Coupe is priced at $89,995. The car has a mileage of 47,415 miles featured at Steelside Classic Atlanta showroom. Further Details are below.
- 4.2L Inline 6 Engine
- 4-Speed Manual Transmission
- Dual Stromberg Carburetors
- Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Rack and Pinion Steering
- Pale Primrose Paint
- 15″ Wire Wheels with 185-15 Tires
- Black Leather Convertible Top
- Black Leather Bucket Seats
- AM/FM Cassette Entertainment System
- Upgraded Shoulder Seatbelts
- Thin Wraparound Bumpers & Luggage Rack
- $12K+ Rehab in 2020
- Includes Operating Manual & Service Handbook
Along with the larger, more powerful engine came a more driver-friendly gearbox with synchromesh on first gear and an improved Lockheed brake servo.
While the external appearance remained mostly the same, there were numerous improvements under the hood, including upgrades to the electrical and cooling systems, as well as changes to the seating.
The introduction of federal emissions and safety regulations in the USA led to further refinements, resulting in the interim “Series 1.5” and the Series 2 models.