Jaguar E-Type S1
1974 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $9,220
Average Auction Sale: $69,502
Median Auction Sale: $60,900
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $9,220
Average Auction Sale: $69,502
Median Auction Sale: $60,900
Chassis Profiles
1973 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $8,475 - $8,920
Average Auction Sale: $60,280
Median Auction Sale: $56,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $8,475 - $8,920
Average Auction Sale: $60,280
Median Auction Sale: $56,000
Chassis Profiles
1972 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $7,330 - $7,740
Average Auction Sale: $60,793
Median Auction Sale: $56,809
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $7,330 - $7,740
Average Auction Sale: $60,793
Median Auction Sale: $56,809
Chassis Profiles
Total Production: 15,287
1971 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,730 - $5,740
Average Auction Sale: $51,261
Median Auction Sale: $46,283
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,730 - $5,740
Average Auction Sale: $51,261
Median Auction Sale: $46,283
Chassis Profiles
1970 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,530 - $5,900
Average Auction Sale: $56,571
Median Auction Sale: $52,800
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,530 - $5,900
Average Auction Sale: $56,571
Median Auction Sale: $52,800
Chassis Profiles
1969 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,530 - $5,905
Average Auction Sale: $60,609
Median Auction Sale: $56,476
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,530 - $5,905
Average Auction Sale: $60,609
Median Auction Sale: $56,476
Chassis Profiles
Total Production: 18,809
1968 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,370 - $5,740
Average Auction Sale: $68,423
Median Auction Sale: $59,220
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,370 - $5,740
Average Auction Sale: $68,423
Median Auction Sale: $59,220
Chassis Profiles
1967 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,380 - $5,900
Average Auction Sale: $98,131
Median Auction Sale: $90,611
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,380 - $5,900
Average Auction Sale: $98,131
Median Auction Sale: $90,611
Chassis Profiles
1966 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,400 - $6,100
Average Auction Sale: $121,971
Median Auction Sale: $100,000
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,400 - $6,100
Average Auction Sale: $121,971
Median Auction Sale: $100,000
Chassis Profiles
1965 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,390 - $5,600
Average Auction Sale: $121,260
Median Auction Sale: $107,125
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,390 - $5,600
Average Auction Sale: $121,260
Median Auction Sale: $107,125
Chassis Profiles
1964 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,300 - $5,500
Average Auction Sale: $103,640
Median Auction Sale: $92,400
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,300 - $5,500
Average Auction Sale: $103,640
Median Auction Sale: $92,400
Chassis Profiles
1963 Jaguar XKE E-Type
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,895
Average Auction Sale: $102,987
Median Auction Sale: $101,064
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,895
Average Auction Sale: $102,987
Median Auction Sale: $101,064
Chassis Profiles
1962 Jaguar E-Type XKE
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,890
Average Auction Sale: $127,858
Median Auction Sale: $117,229
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,890
Average Auction Sale: $127,858
Median Auction Sale: $117,229
Chassis Profiles
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,890
Average Auction Sale: $217,896
Median Auction Sale: $183,809
Chassis Profiles
Original Price: $5,599 - $5,890
Average Auction Sale: $217,896
Median Auction Sale: $183,809
Chassis Profiles
Total Production: 38,419
1963 Jaguar XKE Lightweight
Average Auction Sale: $1,524,149
Median Auction Sale: $669,576
Chassis Profiles
Average Auction Sale: $1,524,149
Median Auction Sale: $669,576
Chassis Profiles
1961 Jaguar E-Type Semi-Lightweight
Average Auction Sale: $290,765
Median Auction Sale: $290,765
Chassis Profiles
Average Auction Sale: $290,765
Median Auction Sale: $290,765
Chassis Profiles
Total Production: 12
The Jaguar E-Type was launched at the 1961 Geneva Motorshow and it was not long before the road-going car made its way to racing tracks. The vehicle's lineage was rooted in sports car racing, with its chassis and engine sourced from the three-time Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-Type. In production trim, the E-Type was incredibly fast and nimble, but there was room for improvement. For starters, it steel body was heavy while many of its competitors were using lightweight aluminum.
Homologation rules for GT competition dictated that the body could be modified but the chassis was to remain unchanged. A new body was formed from aluminum in nearly identical fashion to the production road car, and fitted with a separate hard-top roof with a small vent at the rear. A few of the later cars were given a full fastback coupe body.
Most of the lightweight cars were built as a steel production Roadster, then modified to lightweight E-Type specifications, which included the hood and trunk lid. Two examples were raced with a fixed head body.
Under the bonnet, the engine was given an aluminum cylinder block, which - along with the new body - helped reduce overall weight by over 200 kg. The engine, with modifications that included a Lucas fuel injection system, boosted horsepower to over 300 HP.
These lightweight E-Type's were given to privateers, some of which also received factory support. John Coombs was one of the early believers in the lightweight E-Type, as was American Briggs Cunningham, who ordered three examples. 18 examples were planned, but eventually on 12 were ever built.
One of the earliest competition outings for the lightweight E-Type was at the 1963 edition of the Sebring 12 Hour race, where two examples entered, finishing in 7th and 8th overall. In the four-liter GT class, they finished 1st and 2nd but were outpaced by the Ferrari 250 GTOs in the under three-liter class. The lightweights would prove their capabilities on the shorter circuits but were often outpaced by the GTOs on the longer courses.
Cunningham's examples were raced at Le Mans, all finished in the Cunningham colours of white with two blue stripes. During the practice session, the cars proved to be very quick and hopes were high for the race. Unfortunately, two of the three cars retired early; the third example managed to finish in 9th overall and 2nd in class.
The cars were quick, but in major competition, they were often outclassed, often by the smaller-engined Ferrari 250 GTOs.
Peter Sutcliffe of England enjoyed success with his car, as did German Jaguar distributor Peter Lindner.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014