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1964 Jaguar XKE E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type, or the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market, was in production between 1961 and 1975. In 1958, designer Malcolm Sayer and technical director William Heynes, persuaded their boss, Sir William Lyons, that a new production sports model was needed. Its development, however, dated back to the mid-1950s with the racing D-Type, which had been put aside after Lyons canceled the competition program. The D-Type was an aluminum-bodied roadster powered by a 3.4-liter XK engine and independent front and rear suspension. Sayer and Heynes re-engineered it for steel and powered it with a 3.8-liter engine sourced from the Mk IX saloon. Apart from the transmission and engine, the production E-Type was completely new. It had a multi-tube front chassis with a monocoque center section. Anti-roll bars were placed in the front and back. Wishbones and torsion bars were in the front in a similar fashion to the XK 150. The rear had transverse lower links and fixed-length drive shafts. The wheels were suspended on coil spring-shock absorber units, two on each side. The differential was mounted to a steel cross-member and housed inboard disc brakes.

In comparison to the XK 150, the E-Type was more powerful and weighed 500 pounds less. The 3.8-liter twin cam engine was fitted with three SU side-draft carburetors and offered 265 horsepower.

In March of 1961, the E-Type made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and was shown in New York a month later. It had race-bred performance and sensuous body lines. It is one of only a few automobiles on permanent display at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Production of the E-Type began with cars for Jaguar's export markets in March of 1961, followed by domestic production commencing in July. The Series I cars, which were produced until 1968, featured aircraft-type switches, aluminum-accented interiors, and unadulterated bodylines with minimalistic bumpers and covered headlamps.

For 1964, the XK-E remained mostly unchanged. Bodystyles included a coupe and roadster with the roadster having a base price of around $5,300.The dual-overhead-cam six-cylinder engine displaced 230.6 cubic inches and offered 265 horsepower. Later in the year, a later 4.2-liter engine became available with a larger bore than the 3.8-liter version. Horsepower remained the same but torque increased by 23 pounds-feet.

There were 7,828 roadsters and 7,670 fixed-head coupes, of the 3.8-liter XKE, produced from 1961 through 1964.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The new Jaguar roadster unveiled at the March 1961 Geneva Auto Show looked more like a racing car than a production model, and it was, indeed, based on a racer - Jaguar's own Type D. Known as the Type E in Europe and called the XK-E in the United States, it could surpass 150 mph. Looks, performance and a price below $6,000 - this car had everything. Completely different in appearance from its XK predecessors but powered by a 3.8-liter version of the same six-cylinder engine, the XK-E roadster (and accompanying coupe) were the products of wind-tunnel research that shaped the radically aerodynamic form. Built around a central monocoque, the XK-E had front and rear tubular subframes to support the engine, and it had Jaguar's first four-wheel independent suspension.

Coupe
Chassis number: 8800115

This Jaguar E-Type Roadster has an aluminum bonnet, doors, and hood, and was built to race specification. Jaguar E-Type 880115 was ordered directly from the factory in 1963 by Toronto-based Hugh Sutherland to compete in the 1964 LeMans 24-Hour race. Hugh Sutherland with accomplished drives for the Aston Martin factory team at LeMans and the Austin Healey factory team at Sebring, ordered this specially prepared competition Jaguar with a steel monocoque, 2.8 competition engine with high compression head, lightened flywheel, competition clutch, close ratio gearbox, racing specification cool-ducted larger front brakes and special offset wheels. Hugh also arranged with the factory to fit his newly delivered car with additional 'Lightweight' specification aluminum bonnet, hood, boot-lid, and doors as well as a 5-speed gearbox. The car was delivered at the factory and registered with the factory numbers '6321 WK.'

6321WK was accepted for LeMans in 1964, with Sterling Moss and Hugh scheduled as the drivers: however, Mr Sutherland's sponsorship for the race did not materialize and he was unable to take the car to the LaSarthe event. 6321WK subsequently returned to Canada with Hugh, where he had occasion to race the car at club events.

Coupe

This E-Type Fixed Head Coupe S1 4.2 was built in November of 1964 and is number 299 of the first left-hand drive models. It is also a direct California import, which is indicated by J65 on the California registration and aluminum plate on the body. This vehicle had been garaged and off the road since 1976 with a blown gasket. The present owner purchased the car in 2006 and was treated to a complete restoration.

Roadster
Chassis number: 880007
Engine number: RA 3288-9

This 1964 Jaguar Series I E-Type Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell between $60,000 - $75,000. It is equipped with a 3781cc twin-overhead cam inline six-cylinder engine capable of producing 265 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes. It has been treated to a full restoration and has traveled less than 40,000 miles since new.

The E-Type was Jaguars first production vehicle not to use a separate body bolted onto a rolling chassis. The E-Type employed the modern design of a monocoque body tub attached to a tubular framework. The hood was hinged in the front and opened upwards. Lying underneath the long bonnet was the engine, which was bolted directly to the framework. The front-hinged hood design had been borrowed from the C-Type and D-Type Lemans racers. This gave complete access to the engine, front suspension, and the firewall.

The E-Type was the first production vehicle to have a top speed in excess of 150 mph.

This example has traveled just 39,600 miles since new. It was recently rebuilt by Jaguar of Denver. It exterior of the car is finished in red with a black interior and top.

At auction, the car was sold for $56,100, falling just short of the estimated value. Since it had been offered without reserve, the car was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The successor to the XK-150 was the E-Type which began development in 1956 and was enriched by the technical experience acquired in three straight victories at the LeMans 24-hour race - 1955, 1956, and 1957. Those wins were scored by the D-Type, a pure racing machine. To exploit the on-track success, it was only logical to call the new car the E-Type.

Though the E-Type was not conceived as a race car, it did make one LeMans appearance in 1962 where it finished fourth. The 265 horsepower, 3.8 inline six-cylinder engine delivered formidable performance the day, giving it a zero-to-sixty mph time of just 7.1 seconds with a top speed of almost 150 mph, according to Motor magazine.

The performance was impressive but the sensuous curved and elegant proportions of Malcom Sayer's styling which created the most allure. Enzo Ferrari called it 'the most beautiful car ever made,' and an E-Type roadster has a spot in the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art, one of only two automobiles so honored.

The current owners of this 1964 Series I roadster purchased it in 2004, and gave it to Gerry Bonani's Classic Car Restoration to return it to Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate specifications.

Roadster
Chassis number: 881186
Engine number: ZB2974

This Jaguar E-Type was produced in October of 1964. It has been given a recent cosmetic and mechanical refreshing, on top of a ground-up restoration that was completed in the late 1990s. It has been recently been repainted in its original exterior color of black. The red leather interior is also original with this car.

Power is from a 3781cc six-cylinder, dual overhead cam engine fitted with three SU carburetors and offering 265 bhp. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 860402
Engine number: R5016-9

This roadster, the 'Bouillot Helsel E-Type' began as a right-hand drive Series 1 Coupe. The roof was removed, the steering wheel switched sides, and numerous mechanical upgrades were installed. It was originally shown at the London Motor Fair at Earls Cour in 1983. For the sum of £50,000 the car featured a 5-speed Jaguar synchromesh gearbox, beefed up suspension and an aesthetic makeover that was both striking and luxurious. It had matching luggage, a plus leather interior with burled walnut dashboard fascia and its own style of knock-off hubs. The Bouillot Helsel E-Type was finished in their own cream and burgundy throughout and a 'BH' insignia can be found across the headlining and on the luggage, while a chrome 'Bouillot Helsel' signature can be found on the lower hood edge.

It is unclear how successful the venture was and this may be the sole example produced. The car remains as a bold attempt at improving upon the original E-Type concept. It has a 3781cc dual overhead cam 6-cylinder engine fitted with 3 SU carburetors. There is a five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The Malcolm Sayer-designed Jaguar E-Type was revealed for the first time at the 1961 Geneva Auto Show. Replacing the ageing Jaguar XK150 this stunning new car featured a semi-monocoque body that utilized ingenious bolt-on front subframe to support the engine and independent front torsion-bar suspension. The bolt-in rear independent suspension unit, fitted with inboard disc brakes, has become a highly sought-after modular assembly often used by hot rod and custom car builders.

The curvaceous E-Type was a success from day one. Co-designer Malcolm Sayer had no interest in making the car beautiful. He was more interested in aerodynamics and applying his theories toward a functional design. Ironically, the E-Type was not terribly aerodynamically efficient, but it is without que, one of the most iconic sports cars ever built. Enzo Ferrari, who hardly ever complemented anyone or anything, called it 'the most beautiful car ever made.'

This early 1964 Jaguar E-Type OTS was originally delivered to Paul Crouch in Toronto, Canada, and has remained an Ontario car ever since. Extensively and successfully auto-crossed for a number of years by Nelson Burkhardt, the car was previously 'restored' by the inmates of the Guelph Correctional Centre.

In 2013, it underwent an open-book, no-expense-spared restoration to undo the sins of the previous 'restoration' returning the car to a Concours level with its matching numbers 3.8 liter engine and gearbox.

Coupe
Chassis number: 890190
Engine number: NC1278-8

Browns Lane Jaguar completed work on this 3.8-Liter E-Type Coupe on February 24th of 1964. It is a left-hand-drive model that was sent to Jaguar Cars of New York, where it came into the care of its first owner, R. Alson. It had left the factory finished in Carmen Red over a black interior. The current owner acquired the car in 1989 from Tom Foreman of Stanton Station, NJ.

Soon after acquiring the car, the current owner made the decision to fully restore the coupe. The complete restoration took ten years to complete. After the work was completed, it was shown at multiple east coast events where it earned many prestigious awards.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 880937
Engine number: RA5177-9

This Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster was finished at Jaguar's Browns Lane works on January 20th of 1964. It was originally finished in Opalescent Dark Blue, with matching blue soft top, and light blue leather interior (grey) with a darker blue accent piping. It roadster was dispatched from the Jaguar facilities on January 31st, 1964, and sent to the North American market, and into the care of its first owner, E. M. Toscauo. It is believed that prior to 1969, the car had made its way to California.

More recently, the Jaguar was given a comprehensive restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 880875
Engine number: RA5042-9

This Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster was finished at Jaguar's Browns Lane works on January 10th of 1964. It was finished in Carmine Red over Black leather with left-hand drive steering and destined for the North American market. The new Jaguar was dispatched from the works on February 3, 1964, and headed to Jaguar Cars New York.

The early history of the car is unknown. In the mid-1990s it received a restoration at which time the interior and top was changed from black to tan. It car has the original engine and cylinder head. The transmission has been swapped with a fully synchronized unit from a later 4.2 model but the original transmission still remains with the car.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

This Jaguar E-Type is a one-owner car that is still titled in the original family's name.

Coupe
Chassis number: 890630
Engine number: RA6730-9

This two-place 1964 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe is powered by a 3,781cc dual overhead camshaft inline 6-cylinder engine breathing through three SU carburetors and delivering 265 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. There is a five-speed Tremec manual gearbox and Wilwood disc brakes with the rear being inboard. This car spent four decades with the third owner, who purchased it in 1969 from the second owner's estate. During the late 1990s, the car was given a comprehensive restoration including a rebuild of the 3.8-liter engine. In 2010 it was acquired by another owner who sold it to its current owner, Neil Peart, in June of 2013. Mr. Peart professionally maintained the Jaguar and it received an exterior refinish in the originally specified Opalescent Silver, over rich red leather upholstery fitted under previous ownership.

Along with the CJ5 Tremec five-speed manual gearbox, additional upgrades include a lightweight flywheel, Wilwood disc brakes, low-restriction exhaust header, and uprated suspension components.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 889928
Engine number: RA5245-9

The production of the E-Type began in 1961 and they came equipped with a 3.8-liter DOHC inline-six-cylinder engine offering 220 horsepower and developed from the company's Le Mans-winning C and D-Type racing cars. The four-wheel disc brakes were from its predecessor, the XK150 S, and its rear suspension was independent.

This 1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe is finished in Opalescent Golden Sand over a Connolly beige leather interior with matching Wilton wool carpets. It was built on January 23rd of 1964 and delivered through Jaguar Cars, New York on June 11th of that year to its first owner, L. W. Dougherty of Camden, Tennessee.

This Jaguar has its original engine and has been restored to its original colors and configuration. It is currently fitted with a Tremec-based 5-speed manual transmission; the original Moss box remains with the car.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

Restored from a no-hit, no-rust, U.S.-delivery car, this Series 1 was made into a long-distance event car and daily commuter with full synchro 5-speed transmission, modern a/c, big brakes, oversized cooling, and electric power steering.

Coupe
Chassis number: 8 90 008

In its first race, the E-Type Jaguar race car was raced to victory by a young Graham Hill, beating the competition from the Aston Martin DB4 and Ferrari 250 GT. Further wins were racked up in Britain at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Goodwood. On these shorter British tracks, the new E-Type proved to be a roaring success, gobbling up the twisty track. However, when it moved overseas to larger and faster circuits, it was soundly beaten by Ferrari. Over the years, various owners have honed the design of the Jaguar classic race car, and it continues to perform well in competitions.

Unfortunately for fans, the E-Type never managed to top the podium in international races, but its lack of success away from the domestic arena didn't blunt its undeniable popularity, then or now.

This car has been in the Britton family for decades and current driver Cove Britton drove it to his high school prom!

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