Jaguar E-Type – everything you need to know
History of the Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most interesting cars in automotive history. The E-Type immediately became a design icon and continues to appeal to car enthusiasts today. It has also been an important car for Jaguar. Indeed, the E-Type was Jaguar’s first attempt since Sir William Lyons’ departure in 1961 to build a sports car.
Jaguar’s new management had no experience in sports car production, so they started with a clean slate. That resulted in the iconic Jaguar E-Type. The Jaguar E-Type was first shown in July 1961 at the British International Motor Show. It would go on sale a few months later, in October 1961.
It is rumored that Enzo Ferrari called the E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made” upon its release on March 15, 1961, but this statement was never fully confirmed. The car was a success from the start and production lasted until July 1973. Still the Jaguar E-Type is extremely popular among collectors. They are also relatively easy to find.
The story behind the design of the Jaguar E-Type
The design of the Jaguar E-Type is one of the most interesting aspects about the car. The designers were under great pressure to create something very special. The design team was split in two. One team worked on the XJ13 race car and the other team worked on a street car. The street car design grew into the Jaguar E-Type.
Jaguar Design Director William Towns is credited with the overall design of the car. The design was inspired by the XK150 and XKSS and many other Jaguar sports cars. The design was ready in December 1961 and production was to begin a few months later.
Why buy a Jaguar E-Type?
The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most desirable sports cars of all time. There are a number of reasons why someone would buy one. A Jaguar E-Type will appeal to most car enthusiasts because of its design, performance and rarity. It is also a relatively affordable car to buy, although the latter depends heavily on the year of manufacture and version.
How much is a Jaguar E-Type worth today?
The value of all early E-Types has skyrocketed in recent years. Early Series 1 cars increased in value faster than all other E-Types, but the value of all E-Types is high. As with any car, it depends on the condition, the model and how many other like-minded people are there. Many E-Types have been restored, even to concours condition. Those cars easily change hands for more than $1 million. Early Series 1 cars go for $400,000 to $800,000. A 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition in original factory condition sold for over $7 million in 2017. So prices can go up considerably.
Which Jaguar E-Type should I buy?
If you want to buy an E-Type, it is wise to invest in one with good maintenance history, a hard body and matching numbers as far as chassis and engine are concerned. Remember, these cars are over 50 years old and therefore probably not completely reliable. Driving an E-Type is an adventure, as is the maintenance schedule. Still, there are plenty of specialists with knowledge of the E-Type.
The most desirable versions of the Jaguar E-Type
Of course, the term “most desirable” depends on your own taste. But there are quite a few specimens that will make you greedy. The Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 is an example of a desirable version of the E-Type. The SIII V12 appeared in 1971 with a larger, more powerful engine. Jaguar produced a limited number of SIII V12.
The Jaguar Series 1 E-Type Roadster is another highly desirable version of the E-Type. The Series 1 Roadster was produced between 1961 and 1963. Only 6,878 Series 1 Roadsters were built, making it one of the rarest E-Types. Buy a copy? Then you may pull out your wallet.
Other tips and things to know before buying a Jaguar E-type.
There are a few things you should know before buying an E-type. First, accept that it is a car more than 50 years old. So there may well be something wrong. It is best to know in advance exactly what is wrong with the car so you know what you are getting into. Next, check that the car is original. If the car has been restored, ask what parts were replaced. Finally, a domestic one is preferred, also in view of maintenance history. Information on the particular year of manufacture can always be obtained from the factory through the Jaguar Classic classic department.
Conclusion
The Jaguar E-Type is a beautiful, classic sports car. It has an amazing design that is still admired today, along with impressive performance. The E-Type is a timeless classic that will remain a desirable car for many years to come. As with many classic cars, the E-Type is an expensive car to purchase. However, it is also an investment, so it is worth investing in a good one. If you want to buy an E-Type, make sure you do some good research and don’t pull out your wallet until you find a purr-fect specimen.
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Electric Jaguar E-Type, it exists!
Jaguar Classic has decided to launch an all-electric E-Type. Jaguar Classic will convert original E-Types on demand and equip them with electric drive. Construction will take place at Classic Works in Coventry. E-Type owners can also have their own car equipped with electric propulsion. Without losing the authentic character of the original, because it is always possible to restore the car to its original internal combustion engine powertrain. The electric Jaguar E-Type Zero looks and drives like an E-Type. Performance is extraordinary, with faster acceleration than the E-Type Series I. Jaguar Classic is aiming for a range of 170 kilometers with a full battery. The car has a 40 kWh battery, which can be fully recharged in six to seven hours.
