1963 Jaguar XKE E-Type

The design of the Jaguar E-Type was birthed from the D-Type, a competition car with sensuously curved aerodynamic styling that had achieved tremendous success in international competition. Malcolm Sayer, a trained aerodynamicist, developed the feline curves using wind tunnel testing and aircraft principles. It was given a lightweight monocoque that had a tubular sub-frame to carry the engine, front suspension and steering, and an independent rear axle. The engine was shared with previous models, a 3.8-liter development of the straight-six XK unit with a claimed 265 horsepower. This potent engine, combined with the E-Type's 500 lbs weight saving over the XK150, and its aerodynamic shape, gave it real performance gains. Most of its rivals relied on the traditional live rear axle, but the E-type broke new ground by using an independent setup all around, with the rear comprised of lower wishbones, fixed-length driveshafts, and twin coil spring/damper units. The front used wishbones and torsion bars. Dunlop disc brakes were fitted on all four wheels with those at the rear being mounted inboard alongside the differential to reduce unsprung weight.

Making its debut in Geneva in 1961, the E-Type was no more expensive than most other sports cars, but its beauty, 150-mph performance, and outstanding road manners had no equal. The first twenty examples off the line were allocated to customers who made clear their intention to race the car. Later in production, a short run of works-built lightweight cars were built specifically for competition purposes. Jaguar continued to develop the E-Type throughout its life, the first major improvement came in 1964 when the newly enlarged 4.2-liter XK engine was introduced, although maximum power remained unchanged at 265 hp (torque, however, increased). Other improvements included a twin SU petrol pumps and a fully synchronized Moss gearbox. A Lucas alternator was added along with a change to the electrics, now with a negative earth, a new pre-engaged starter was added, and a Lockheed vacuum servo replaced the Kelsey Haynes unit originally fitted. A redesign to the seats made them plusher and pleated, and the original aluminum instrument panel was later replaced by an all-black unit.

The Series 1 was built from 1961 through 1968 and was initially for export only, with the domestic market launch coming four months later in July 1961. The early cars used external bonnet latches which required a tool to open and had a flat floor design. This was soon changed to a design that offered more legroom and the twin bonnet latches moved to inside the car. The original 3.8-liter displacement grew to 4.2-liters by October 1964.

Bodystyles included a two-seater coup (known as FHC or Fixed Head Coupe and a two-seater convertible (OTS or Open Two Seater). A '2+2' four-seater version of the coupé, with a lengthened wheelbase, was released in 1966. Options included chrome spoked wheels and a detachable hardtop for the OTS. Dunlop 6.40 x 15 inch RS5 tires were standard, while later Series One cars were fitted with Dunlop 185-15 SP41 or 185 VR 15 Pirelli Cinturato AS radial-ply tires.

After 38,419 examples of the Series One cars were built, they were followed in 1968 by the Series 2 built through 1971. The Series 3 cars were built from 1971 through 1975 and were powered by a new 5.3-liter V-12 engine with larger brakes and standard power steering. Total E-Type Jaguar production, including Series 1, 2, and 3 examples, exceeded 72,500 units.

Its success was due in no small part to its high performance, stunning looks, and competitive pricing. The E-Type can best be described as the culmination of the best design and engineering techniques of the era in one of the best looking and drive cars from the 1960s. On its release on 15 March 1961 Enzo Ferrari called it 'the most beautiful car ever made'.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

In March 1961, Jaguar introduced the 'E' type. Powered by the triple SU carbureted 3.8-liter six-cylinder, the E-Type is capable of 150 miles per hour. The clean lines and the high-tech specifications were a sensation - 'E'-Type steals the show at the Geneva Salon, 1961', as expressed by 'Autosport' magazine. In April 1961, Jaguar introduced the 'E' type in the USA. The announcement of the 'E' type was considered front page news by the magazines such as 'Car and Driver' and 'Road and Track.'

This automobile was built on June 06, 1963 and delivered to Waterloo, IA. The current owner began restoration in 1998 and over a four year period required 3000 plus hours.

The Museum of Modern Art in New York has two scale-models on permanent display in their design collections since 1964.

Coupe
Chassis number: 879913
Engine number: RA3110-9

A complete restoration was performed on this car, stripping it down to the bare chassis, reusing all hardware wherever possible, and even using the original and salvageable bolts. The original chrome was stripped and re-plated. The restoration process was completed in May of 2007 and later that year was brought to the Bonhams Auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, held at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California. The restoration work was done to such high quality, it attracted a buyer willing to part with $120,000 plus premium and tax to own this magnificent 1963 Jaguar XKE 3.8-Liter Series I Roadster.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 879127
Engine number: RA1269-9

This Jaguar is a rebuild in the spirit of the Lightweight XKE's of the same period. It has an accurate lightweight monocoque and body from aluminum using period riveted panel joining techniques. The original reinforced Jaguar Lightweight front and rear subframes were exactly duplicated.

The engine has triple 45DCOE Webers on the 4.2-liter engine and delivers nearly 370 horsepower. There are stainless steel headers, a lightweight flywheel with dual disc Tilton clutch, high capacity water pump with Racemate alternator, Accusump pre-oiler, TX51 five-speed transmission and Salisbury limited slip differential.

In the spirit of the lightweights, this car has a wider rear track, which required new radius arms, control arms and half shaft spacers with adjustable HAL spring/shock units.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, it had been sold for the sum of $161,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 878978
Engine number: RA 1010-9

Jaguar produced just 2,023 open two-seat roadsters during 1963. This example was completed on January 28th of 1963 and is a left-hand drive example. It was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York on February 7th of 1963 and its first owner was T.J. Mattoen of New York. In 2008, it received a complete rotisserie restoration by marque specialists. Since that time, it has traveled just 600 miles. The car is a numbers matching example which has been confirmed by its Jaguar Heritage Certificate. The car has its original tool roll with Metallifacture jack and new hammer, over $100,000 has been spent on the restoration, including an engine, transmission, rear end, and suspension rebuild. The car is finished in cream over red hides with contrasting black hood.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $125,000 to $150,000. Bidding reached $97,500 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 879037
Engine number: R 9820-9

This Jaguar XKE Open Two Seater has spent many of its recent years in long term storage in an Arizona garage. It was built on February 12th of 1963 and discharged from the factory at the end of the month. Upon completion, it was sent to the United States and imported through Jaguar Cars New York. It was originally finished in cream paint, with a red interior and black top. Later in the car's life, it made its way to California, before settling in Arizona. Since new, the car has been finished in sky blue metallic paint. It has a factory hard top, a 265 HP DOHC six-cylinder engine, a 4-speed manual transmission, and 4-wheel disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 879718
Engine number: RA2679-9

This is an original left-hand drive 'Series 1' XKE Roadster that was built on June 24, 1963 and finished in Opalescent Golden Sand with Light Tan upholstery and a Black convertible top. It was then dispatched to the United States on July 4, 1963 and purchased in New York by its first recorded owner, J.P. Small. From there, its ownership history is not known; in the 1990s it was acquired by a private collector and given a comprehensive high-level restoration that was completed around 1999, including a repaint in the current Primrose Yellow finish. After the owner passed away in 2009, ownership changed to an individual who later sold it to the current caretaker.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 889293

This 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe Custom spent many of its early years in club events and then later transformed into a V-8 powered drag racer. The current owner spent four-years rebuilding the E-Type including sourcing a more powerful 4.2-liter engine. The engine was mated to a custom five-speed manual transmission as well as custom-made stainless-steel exhaust headers to afford sustained high-speed cruising. Other modifications and upgrades include a strengthened frame, a large aluminum radiator with electric fans, and a modern and upgraded electrical system.

There is a black leather interior, a wood steering wheel, and rebuilt gauges. It rides on a new set of Dayton wire wheels and radial tires. Over $200,000 was spent on the restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

This Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster was traded in at the owner's dealership with a blue exterior and a saddle brown interior. After obtaining a heritage certificate, it was revealed that the original color was cream with a red interior. The restoration process was then started to return the car to its original form. After 18 months, the Concours nut-and-bolt restoration was completed.

Coupe
Chassis number: 887469
Engine number: R8749-9

This Jaguar E-Type received a restoration that began in 2016. It is currently finished in opalescent silver with a red leather interior and rides on whitewall tires. After the work was completed, the car was shown at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded a Palmetto Award.

This Series I 3.8 Coupe is equipped with a 3,781cc dual overhead camshaft inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with Triple SU carburetors and delivers 265 horsepower at 5,400 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission, an independent transmission, and four-wheel disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 888582
Engine number: RA1902-9

This 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-liter Coupe is an original left-hand-drive example built on April 29th of 1963 and finished in Opalescent Maroon over black leather. The car's original owner was Donald F. Gregg of Portland, Oregon, via British Motor Car Distributors Inc. The car remained in Mr. Gregg's ownership until 2014.

The car's second owner was John Phillips who, after a major mechanical service and careful detailing, showed the E-Type at a JCNA Concours in 2015, scoring 99.85 points, with the only deductions made on the aging manifold porcelain.

The car's third owner was Herve Lebasse who purchased the car from Mr. Phillips in June 2017 at 33,938 miles. He fully rebuilt the engine, in addition to servicing the heating and cooling systems, and installing new wire-spoke wheels and period-correct tires.

Currently, the Jaguar has around 34,000 miles on its odometer and wears its factory-original Opalescent Maroon paint and leather upholstery.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 887530

Stanly Lynn bought chassis number 887530 new in 1963 from Al Pernett in Riverside, California. He sold it in 1988 and the family lost track for 35 years. During that time, it was owned and shown by a well-known collector/JCNA judge/architect who displayed it at The Quail in 2011, celebrating 50 years of the E-Type, UK-based restorer that used it as a reference standard, and the automotive engineers that earned first place at Greystone Mansion Concours (2017) and Carmel Concours on the Avenue (2021). In 2023, Lynn's grandson spotted it on Bring A Trailer and bought it back, reuniting the car with the Lynn family. This E-Type has traveled 29,000 miles in 60 years and remains unrestored.

Coupe

This iconic 1963 Series 1 Jaguar 3.8 E-Type FHC was discovered in a Texas rancher's barn near Austin in 1972 and has been meticulously restored in keeping with the Jaguar Heritage Certification. Restoration includes rare Opalescence Maroon paint, original master cylinder aluminum date bands, bees head bolts, original tool kit, and factory optional Pirelli radials. Even the correct side window identification bugs were reproduced utilizing the original artwork and the same etching techniques as the factory. Engine rebuild, Suffolk and Turley Interior, and a rotisserie restoration took four years and thousands of man-hours to complete. The project was accomplished with the technical and historical guidance of expert leaders in the upper echelon of the Jaguar class.

The Jaguar E type, also known as the XK-E, brought style and performance together to create a mass-produced supercar. The road-going sports car was conceived in 1956 as a replacement for the D-type. In March of 1961, the E-Type was officially introduced to the world at the Geneva, Switzerland Motor show.

It's design was created by an aerodynamic engineer named Malcolm Sayer. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle featured a monocoque body and a tubular front chassis. The six-cylinder double-cam engine had three SU carburetors and produced 265 horsepower. The suspension was independent with disc brakes on all four wheels. It brought together the best or aerodynamics, coupled with the latest technology and propelled by a potent engine. The vehicle was not only fast, it offered excellent performance and handling. Some of the most common complaints it received were the cabin being too cramped and it suffered from poor ventilation.

The E-Type was a popular vehicle. It was fast, performed well, and was competitively priced. Due to the United States' safety and emission regulations, some of the horsepower was lost. The headlamp covers were also removed prior to the close of the 1960's.

A 4.2-liter engine and synchromesh gearbox were introduced in 1964. In 1966, the 2+2 coupe was introduced and featured a longer wheelbase. The Series II cars were not as quick as its predecessors. The Series III, however, was a different story. Powered by a V-12 engine they were once again able to propel the E-Type over 145 miles per hour.

Production for the E-Type ceased in 1975, after 72,520 examples being produced. It was replaced by the XJ-S; a vehicle that was larger, heavier, and not as visually appealing.

by Dan Vaughan