|
Gerry
Larkin
Unveiled at the 1961 Geneva motor show as a successor to the now dated XK series, the Jaguar E-Type caused a sensation. With blistering performance and styling to match, the car was an instant success and when a factory-prepared example exceeded 150mph the legend was complete. Most amazing of all though was the price, at £1,480 the E-Type cost only marginally more than equivalent saloons, putting high-performance motoring within reach of all. At launch, a 3.8-litre, triple carburettor, version of Jaguar’s famous XK engine, powered the E-Type. The car was available either as a roadster or as a fixed-head coupe and utilised many of the design features seen on the Le Mans winning D-Type. The front sub-frame was constructed of tubular steel, which supported the engine and transmitted suspension loads into the main body-shell. This was of monocoque construction and provided mountings for the final drive unit and an all-new independent rear suspension unit. As with the XK150, disc brakes were fitted all round and power was delivered to the rear-wheels via a four-speed, all-synchro gearbox. Internally, the cockpit was fitted out with a large wooden-rimmed steering wheel, leather bucket seats, a host of toggle switches and instruments and most importantly, a speedometer that read up to 160mph. Superb though the original E-Type was, it did have some faults, which Jaguar addressed in 1964 with the launch of a 4.2-litre model. Externally almost identical, the new car had many changes under the skin. Most significant of these was the engine, which now displaced 4235cc and delivered more torque in the mid-range. The gearbox was also redesigned to incorporate synchromesh on first gear and internally, adjustable seats with flatter backrests replaced the bucket seats, which many people had found uncomfortable. In 1966 the range expanded with the introduction of a 2+2 model. This incorporated two small seats in the rear and was achieved by stretching the original bodyshell by nine inches and raising the roofline. The 2+2 E-Type found favour with many families, as in reality, the back seats were really only suitable for children. The E-Type continued in these forms until 1968 when the Series II E-Type was announced. Brought about by changes in U.S. safety legislation, the Series II E-Type featured redesigned external and internal fittings but was mechanically very similar to the earlier cars, which were now known as Series I E-Types. The final chapter of the E-Type story began in 1971 when the Series III E-Type was released. Fitted with Jaguar’s magnificent new V12 engine of 5343cc capacity this was a much larger car than the original E-Type of a decade earlier and was only available either as a roadster or as a 2+2 coupe. Production of the E-Type in V12 form continued until 1974 when the car was phased out to make way for its successor, the Jaguar XJ-S. From its launch in 1961 the E-Type became a motoring icon and even today is a byword for speed and beauty. Our featured E-Type is a 1963 Series I, 3.8-litre coupe, which is owned by I.J.D.C. member Gerry Larkin. An original Irish car, this E-Type has only covered 15,000 miles since new and is an excellent example of this most desirable model. |
