Jaguar E-Type Series 1

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4,2, finished in Carmen Red over black leather. A Swedish sold car, passing throught the hands of just 6 owners in it’s near 60 year life. Mechanically the car runs well and is ready to be enjoyed, there is some rust to be attended to underneath but this is not structural.

The Jaguar E-Type is widely regarded as one of the most important and pretty sports cars of all time. Yet it’s hard to fathom the effect this British machine had on the world in 1961, when 70mph was rapid for the average family runabout, never mind the claimed 150mph the E-Type could reach. At its launch at the Geneva Auto Salon in March 1961, the E-Type not only stole the show but every headline. Enzo Ferrari described the Jaguar as the most beautiful car in the world, and few many regard the original Coupé and Roadster models as perfect from every angle.

The Series I E-type, first introduced in 1961, was the car that kicked off a sports car legend, available in both Roadster and Coupé variants. Originally launched with a focus on the US market, at the time the largest car market in the world, the E-type was met with universal critical acclaim. Due to production pressures, the first handful of E-Types produced were produced with external bonnet latches and a ‘flat floor’, so when you see these terms on a car for sale, you’re looking at something extremely rare and valuable.

All early E-types were powered by a triple SU carburetted 3.8-litre straight-six XK engine, before a 4.2-litre replaced it in 1964, along with better brakes and a more usable all synchromesh gearbox. In 1966, the 2+2 joined the line-up (a part-time four seater) – along with the option of a three-speed auto and air-conditioning). In 1967, as changing US regulations came into force, Jaguar introduced open headlights among other changes. These cars have become unofficially termed a Series 1.5.

In 1968, to fully comply with US regulations, a subtle redesign was introduced and the Series 2 was born, with bigger front and rear lights, a large grille, more comfortable seats and better cooling – the 4.2-litre straight-six remained. The Series 2 is often seen as a poor relation to the Series 1 however, for many the Series 2 is seen as righting the mechanical wrongs in the Series 1. It was all change again in 1971 when the 5.3 litre V12-powered Series 3 E-Type was introduced. e high windscreen, longer wheelbase, heavier engine and more relaxed driving characteristics were a different proposition to those early Series 1 and 2 cars, but certainly not without their benefits.