Jaguar E-Type

Jaguar E-Type Finance

Launched in 1961, the Series 1 E-Type was an instant classic. Its beautifully curvy streamlined shape and 265bhp 6-cyl 3.8-litre engine – both derived from the earlier, Le Mans-winning D-Type racer – and near 150mph performance, all for a fraction of the price of an Aston Martin or Ferrari, ensured its iconic status. Available as a 2-seater roadster or hardtop coupé, the latter featured a capacious luggage compartment with a side-hinged hatchback, thus making it the ideal high-speed grand tourer.

A similarly powerful but torquier 4.2-litre engine was introduced in late 1964, and the first 2+2 version was added in 1966. The Series 2 E-Type arrived in 1968, still with the 4.2 engine, while 1971 saw the introduction of the 5.3-litre V12-powered Series 3, although now available only as a roadster or 2+2 coupe, the 2-seat coupé having been dropped.

With a 9-inch longer wheelbase, a more upright screen rake and a redesigned roofline to accommodate rear seat passengers (albeit small ones), no-one has ever argued that the 2+2 E-Type is prettier than its 2-seat coupé sibling. Enzo Ferrari famously described the E-Type as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’, but that was before the 2+2… However, in the eyes of a young 1970s petrolhead an E-Type was an E-Type and as such the 2+2 was still hugely desirable.

The 4.2 engine had been emasculated by US emission controls, but the big new V12 brought performance back to early/mid ‘60s levels. Power was rated at 314bhp which meant 0-60 in under 7 secs with a 143mph top speed, thus putting it very much on a par with the fastest of its competitors. According to Bill Boddy’s review in Motor Sport (Jan ’72), “…the V12 Jaguar proved to be a very fine effortless high-speed touring car, which would accelerate effectively from 100 m.p.h. upwards”.

E-Type 2+2 production continued until 1973 with 16,239 having been built, 7,297 of those being V12 2+2s.