Jaguar E Type
High Impact Motoring

Although old, this proven inline six-cylinder engine was mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The car was also fitted with a limited slip differential. With 265 hp, this car was capable of achieving a top speed of 242 km/h - still impressive today.

When it came to braking, the E-Type did not disappoint. Disc brakes were fitted to all four wheels for superior stopping performance. The only problem with the early model was that the engine had a tendency to overheat - especially in warm climates.With such performance the E-Type required a world-class suspension set-up to complete the package. Up to the challenge, Jaguar engineers designed an all-new suspension configuration for its sports car.

Notably, this was the first jag to feature a fully independent rear suspension. Mounted on a removable sub-frame unit, the rear suspension could be easily removed, improving the ease with which maintenance was performed. Up front, the E-Type had a double wishbone independent set-up along with a roll bar to further improve handling. The result of this neat configuration was a car that had very good road manners.

This was also one of the first cars in the world to utilize a steel monocoque (unibody) chassis, which vastly improved body rigidity. Then there's the design. Aerodynamics engineer Malcolm Sayer was the person responsible for penning the lines of this beautiful car. He claimed this was the first mathematically designed body, thanks to the extensive use of a wind tunnel. Car enthusiasts could easily identify the E-Type with its thin bumpers, rear taillights and faired-in headlamps. Of course, the classic Jaguar grille up front gave it all away. There was also a set of vents on each lateral side of the long hood to aid in engine cooling. The E-Type was one of the few cars to have three windscreen wipers. Inside, the cabin was unquestionably British. The sporty interior was adorned with a wooden steering wheel aluminum paneling, toggle switches and leather seats.

Car enthusiasts could easily identify the Jaguar E Type with its thin bumpers, rear taillights and faired-in headlamps.

From the outset, the E-Type was available both as a roadster and hardtop coupe. However, an extended wheelbase E-Type version was available starting in -1966. This lengthened chassis would permit Jaguar to add more muscle under the hood in the '70s.In 1968, the Series II E-Type was introduced. Available with a bigger 4.2-litre straight six, the engine produced 283 lb-ft of torque - 23 lb-ft more than the original 3.8-litre engine. Also, the transmission had synchro-mesh on all four forward gears, unlike the 'box found in the Series I model. Power steering was another welcome addition.In 1971, the ageing E-Type underwent a few more changes in an attempt to extend the model's production lifetime.

Production of the Jaguar E Type ceased in 1974. After 13 years, 72,520 models had rolled off the assembly line in Coventry. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the performance and appearance of the original Series I was never matched with the later models.