1964 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe

One of the all time great sports cars, the charismatic Jaguar E-Type was a combination of speed, style and sex appeal and created a sensation when unveiled to the public at the 1961 Geneva Salon. The gifted Malcolm Sayer's design worked equally as well in roadster or fixed-head configurations but the E-Type was no show pony - under that shapely bonnet the race-bred 3.8-litre XK engine developed 265bhp and pushed the new Jaguar to speeds hitherto achieved only by Italian exotics costing much more. In fact, no other manufacturer could match Jaguar's ability to offer 150mph performance and equipment levels for the price. Living up to the old saying that racing improves the breed, the basic monocoque construction method of the E-Type was developed from the legendary D-Type racers while the independent rear end was of the kind found on the E2A prototype racer. Disc brakes, a feature found on racing Jaguars for a number of years, were fitted all round - inboard at the rear to reduce unsprung weight. In October 1964 the E-Type received a number of improvements, notably an all-synchromesh gearbox, better brakes and more supportive seats along with the latest 4.2-litre version of the venerable six-cylinder engine, now with greater torque for a more refined driving experience. Retaining the classic styling of the original but with the troublesome Moss 'box ditched in favour of a much smoother unit, the 4.2-litre Series 1 also had a whole host of minor improvements like the use of an alternator, pre-engaged starter and Lockheed brake servo. Any E-Type is a supremely desirable motorcar but an original right-hand drive 4.2 Series 1 especially so - there were just 1,584 fixed-head variants built before less attractive styling was adopted on the so-called Series 1.5 of 1967.