Famously called “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari
When you think of iconic cars from the ’60s, the ones I think about are the ’63 Split Window Corvette, ’64 Pontiac GTO, ’65 Mustang, 1966 Lamborghini Miura, and this week’s spot, the Jaguar E-Type. Actually, some consider it the greatest sports car of all time.
Of course, if you talk to the British, the name spells success. It was a winner on the most famous racing circuits in the world, and a sales winner on every market where the model has been offered. What is the secret of this success? That question is probably best answered by the words of a well-known British ex-racing driver: “Jaguar may not be the best car of its class in the world, but it is incontestably the least expensive of the GOOD cars.” Ok….hmmm…British humor.
Produced by Jaguar from 1961 to 1974. The E-Type was initially powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six engine, which was later upgraded to a 4.2-liter version in 1964. It was based on Jaguar’s D-Type racing car, which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for three consecutive years beginning in 1955. It had a top speed of up to 150 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. My 2017 Dodge Durango can accelerate faster than that with a V6, but at that time, it was one of the fastest production cars of its time.
Inspired by aircraft construction, for the early 60s, its design was way ahead of its time with a front subframe carrying the engine, front suspension, and front bodywork bolted directly to the body tub. Most cars of the time used a ladder frame chassis, but not the Jag, and because of that, the first cars weighed just under 3,000 lb. It also features an independent suspension and disc brakes, and was priced at around 5 grand.
Engineers kept improving on perfection. There was a Series I½ for a short time, mostly identified by a change in headlights and then the Series II E-Type in 1968, which added a wraparound bumper and changes for US safety regulation compliance while power steering and air conditioning were introduced as options. Series III appeared in 1971 with a larger wheelbase and a new Jaguar V12 engine with four carburetors pushing 272 hp until E-Type production in 1974.
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It’s not the British who think this car is the coolest. It is on permanent exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art in New York because it is considered a a symbol of 1960s automotive design. It’s been a star on the silver screen. In 1971 a blue 1966 Jaguar XK-E was used by a villain who pursues the protagonist in Vanishing Point. It was the recurring symbol of Dr. Evil’s suave and out-of-touch persona in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997. In The Italian Job (1969). A sporty Jaguar E-Type is driven by the main character played by Michael Caine. It appeared in not one but two James Bond Movies, The first Casino Royale in 1967 and in 1965, Thunderball. It was also in the Blues Brothers briefly driven by supermodel at the time Twiggy. There’s something to file away for trivia.
The Series 1 is the most desirable E-Type, given it has the original styling before changes were incorporated. Between 1961 and 1964, the E-Type was only available with a 265bhp 3.8-litre straight-six engine coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. There are affordable options a 1967 Jaguar E-Type SI.5, 2dr Coupe 2+2, 6-cyl. 4235cc/265hp 3x1bbl SU according to Hagerty in Good condition is $42,000. There are more that you can find for under 100K but then prices go into the stratosphere. A 1961 Jaguar E-Type SI Lightweight in Concours condition will need you to come up with 9 million bucks although none have sold at that. Two year ago a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster hammered for $1,139,204 at a Gooding & Company auction. Pocket change, right?
Like most car guys I have no idea where the brand got the idea to go in the direction that is seems to be going now. Production of both the XE and XF sedans ended in May 2024. It’s going all electric. IDK maybe they thought they were no longer relevant in a changing market but their rollout ad was beyond……well I’m not even sure words could describe it but it’s certain that they killed of a what once was a great brand.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest spot. Check back next Sunday for another one of my finds along with some of its history. Have a great week.
Savage On Wheels 
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