1962 Jaguar E-Type XKE

The history of the E-Type (XKE in the USA) dates back to 1956 when it began as a concept. Developed from the racing D-Type, it was put on the back burner when Lyons abruptly canceled the competition program. In 1958, Jaguar technical director William Heynes and designer Malcolm Sayer convinced their boss, Sir William Lyons, that a new production sports model was needed. The prototype was revisited, and its aluminum body with the 3.4-liter engine and all-independent suspension was re-engineered by Heynes and Sayer for steel, and the 3.8-liter engine was sourced from the MK IX saloon.

In a similar fashion to the world-beating D-Types, Jaguar's E-Type had a monocoque tub that formed the main body/chassis structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. Initially, power was from a triple SU carbureted, 3.8-liter, six-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150s backed by a Moss (EB) four-speed gearbox. The double wishbone, independent front suspension mounted on the forward subframe was developed from the original XK120 sports car and refined in the racing D-Type. The rear suspension was completely new, being independent when most of the sports cars of the era used the traditional live axle setup. It used transverse lower links and fixed-length driveshafts, and the wheels were suspended on coil spring-shock absorber units, two to a side. The differential was mounted to a hefty steel cross member and hosted inboard Dunlop disk brakes. Anti-roll bars were installed front and rear. Disc brakes were also used in the front.

The E-Type weighed around 500 pounds less than the XK150 and its exterior was created by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer. The 265 horsepower gave the E-Type a top speed of 150 mph with the standard 3.31 to 1 gearing, and some speculated that optional taller gears would push that figure even further.

The E-Type made its debut in March of 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show. Available as both a fixed head coupe and a soft top with roll-up windows called a 'roadster.' At $5,595 for the roadster and $300 more for the coupe it was more than twice the price of an MGA, and barely half that of a 300SL.

Production of the Jaguar E-Type lasted from 1961 through 1975 and included three distinct series. The first series lasted from 1961 through 1968. Later revisions saw a bigger engine upgrade to 4.2 liters and a driver-friendly synchromesh gearbox.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020