16 January 2012

Jaguar E Type

The Jaguar E-type  ( XK-E in USA)  was produced between 1961 and 1975.
 The E-type revolutionised sports car design, with performance, handling and looks ahead of its time. Aside from being the one the most iconic and gorgeous cars ever made, the E-Type also achieved performance figures that had companies like Ferrari scrambling to make sure there next generation supercar could match the E-Type, but none matched the presence and style of the Jaguar. It was priced well below competing models, helping it to high sales for a high performance car.





The E types went through 3 series.

SERIES I specs
Production :1961–1968
Body styles 2-door coupe,2-door 2+2 coupe,2-door convertible
Engine 3.8 L XK I6 and (after 1964) 4.2 L XK I6
Transmission 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic (1966-onward, 2+2 model only)
Wheelbase 96.0 in  , 105iches for the 2+2
Length 175.3125 in , 184.4375 in  (2+2)
Width 65.25 in 
Height 48.125 in ,50.125 (2+2)
Curb weight 2,900 lb ,3,090 lb for the 4 seater



4.2 L straight six




1964 model 

1964 model 


1966 model


4.2 Litre engine  straight 6

1961 Coupe
The Series 1 was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market launch came four months later in July 1961.  The cars at this time used the triple SU carburetted 3.8 litre six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S.   The 3.8-litre engine was increased to 4.2 litres in October 1964.


3.8-litre cars have leather-upholstered bucket seats, an aluminium-trimmed centre instrument panel and console (changed to vinyl and leather in 1963), and a Moss four-speed gearbox that lacks synchromesh for first gear 




1962





A 2+2 version of the coupé was added in 1966. The 2+2 offered the option of an automatic transmission.  The roadster remained a strict two-seater.


The Series 1 can be recognised by glass-covered headlights *(up to 1967), small "mouth" opening at the front, signal lights and tail-lights above bumpers and exhaust tips under the number plate in the rear.

*Cars imported to the US did not have the aero glass lens covers

Here is a example of the series II (1969 to 1971)

All Series IIs had the 4.2 six cylinder engine. They were detuned for US import. US models also had all of the dash switches replaced from toggle to rocker. All IIs lack the glass lens covers. A/C was available now, as an option.

1972

1974





The final series , produced from 1971 to 1975, stared off with a much larger engine, a V12 (5.3 liter). The car gained alot of weight due to this, up to almost 3400 pounds.  No two seater was available, and on the whole, the car went from being a sports car to a grand tourer, in some people's minds.
The length was now 184 inches, the width 66 and the height 49. It was ,all in all, a larger Jag, although the wheelbase size is the same as the original 2+2 coupe.
1973







Smeghead's favorite Matchbox car , given to him at age 6





2 comments:

  1. This is one of my favorite cars. I always thought they all came with 12 cylinders. You sent me to school with this post. Still a beauty in my eyes. I love Jags newest concept to bad I will never own one If I do manage to get one I will let you drive it.

    BH
    d-8 surveyor

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  2. Let's just agree that if you are a car enthusiast, there is probably some point in your life you thought about owning a 1960's Jaguar E Type (or "XKE" as it was referred to in the U.S.). View 1961 Jaguar E-type Photos from Car and Driver. Find high-resolution car images in our photo-gallery archive.

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