1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 2+2 Coupe

Description

One of the all time great sports cars, Jaguar's E-type was an unbeatable combination of speed, style and sex appeal, creating 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 265 bhp and pushed the new Jaguar to speeds normally reserved for bespoke Latin exotics costing far more. Indeed, no other manufacturer came close to matching Jaguar's ability to offer 150 mph performance at 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 first tested 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. From the latter part of 1967 a number of changes were made due to US Federal Regulations, presaging the Series 2 of 1968 and these so-called 'Series 1.5' E-types saw rocker switches appear on the dashboard, the headlamps were now exposed and the 'ears' on the knock-offs used on the wire wheels deleted. In addition, Jaguar further broadened the E-type's appeal with a 2+2 model on a longer wheelbase. The 4.2-litre is widely regarded as the most desirable E-type variant, with essentially the same classic styling of the original but the troublesome Moss 'box ditched in favour of a much smoother unit, along with a whole host of minor improvements such as the use of an alternator, pre-engaged starter and Lockheed brake servo. With the vast majority built for the US market, any original right-hand drive 4.2 E-type is similarly sought after, with only 1,378 2+2s built (from a total 4.2 Series 1 production of almost 23,000 cars).