In 1961 jaguar type e management recognized that their range was dominated by expensive sports cars powered by large engines and that the firm could be vulnerable to economic pressure. To help counter this danger a smaller and more affordable model was required. It was decided that a car using the standard engine but with a reduced capacity of 3.4 litres would be produced and a prototype was built to test this concept. It was loaned to various motoring magazines and newspapers including Motor, Autocar and Autosport which road tested the car in early 1961.

Jaguar E-Type: A Timeless Masterpiece in Automotive History

The design of the new E-Type was largely left to Malcolm Sayer who had been responsible for Jaguar’s Le Mans winning D-Type racers. He had a good understanding of aerodynamics and designed the body to have low drag. Although the car did not undergo any formal wind tunnel testing Sayer’s work proved to be correct.

One significant change made was to use a special cylinder head with twin SU HD6 carburetors for 190 bhp and the SE model received this power upgrade. Three E-types were entered at the 1962 Le Mans 24 hour race and despite having to retire the Briggs Cunningham car finished an impressive fourth with Peter Lumsden and Roy Salvadori finishing just a few laps behind.

The E-Type is still a great car to drive today and it’s the ideal choice for driving enthusiasts who want to enjoy all of its virtues in an exclusive environment. Whether you’re planning to join us for our E-Type 60 Collection or simply wish to celebrate the car with its original journey from Coventry to Geneva, we can help.