Body no. V6391

Jaguar’s E-Type began as a concept, developed from the racing D-Type in 1956. It was then put aside when the competition program was abruptly canceled. Dusted off in 1959, the prototype aluminum-bodied roadster, with 2.4 liter XK engine and independent front and rear suspension, was reengineered for a steel body and the 3.8 liter engine as used in the Mk IX saloon.

The engine and transmission aside, the production E-Type was all new. It combined a multi-tube front chassis with a monocoque center section. Front suspension was similar to the XK-150’s wishbones and torsion bars, but the rear was revolutionary. Comprising transverse lower links and fixed-length driveshafts, its wheels were suspended on coil spring-shock absorber units, two to a side. The differential was mounted to a hefty steel crossmember and hosted inboard disk brakes. Anti-roll bars were installed front and rear.

At 2,520 pounds, it was 500 pounds lighter than the XK-150 and more powerful to boot. The 3.8 liter twin cam engine was fed through three SU sidedraft carbs and developed 265bhp. A top speed of 150mph was easily achieved with the standard 3.31 to 1 gearing, and some speculated that optional taller gears would be good for more. Its debut came at the March 1961 Geneva Motor Show, to universal applause and plaudits from the pundits. Its pure form, almost devoid of ornamentation, blew everyone away, a sleek shape with only a tiny mouth for breathing, and slender bar bumpers and chrome wire wheels for ornamentation. The US introduction came the following month at the New York International Auto Show where, in recognition of the strong brand awareness accorded its XK predecessors, it was advertised and sold as the “XKE.”

From the start there were two models, a soft top with roll-up windows called “open two seater,” and a fixed-head coupe. At $5,595 for the roadster and $300 more for the coupe it was more than twice the price of an MGA but also twice the car. On the other hand, its sticker was barely half that of a 300SL. Production through 1964 reached 15,500, divided about equally between roadsters and coupes. The original E-Type remained in production, with few changes, for ten years.

A numbers-matching California car driven just 23,000 miles, this Series I Fixed-Head Coupe has always been garage-kept, well-maintained and properly serviced. It bears the patina that only age and careful stewardship can bestow. The body displays excellent panel fits, very good chrome and excellent glass. It has been repainted in the original Golden Sand Metallic, while the rare Cinnamon interior is original. The whole car has been carefully detailed.

Mechanically it has recently been rebuilt, including engine and suspension. It runs and drives well, and has its original jack and tools, as well as the original Motorola AM push button radio. An ideal car for either the Jaguar connoisseur or the first-time buyer, it comes with a DVD of the renovation process as well as a Jaguar Heritage certificate of its production record.