1967 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1 1/2 Roadster

Description

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 265 bhp 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 150 mph 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. 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. 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 1,182 roadsters built (from a total 4.2 Series 1 production of almost 23,000 cars).