Jaguar E-Type - World Of Classic Cars -

Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster 1962

Launched at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type was nothing short of a revelation. With its heady blend of supercar performance, breathtaking styling and low price tag, the newcomer left rivals reeling and customers clamouring, while early sports car racing success at the hands of Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori amongst others, helped cement its reputation. Built as a monocoque with a front sub-frame to cradle the engine, the model's combination of all-round independent suspension (torsion-bar front / coil-sprung rear) rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes gave it excellent road holding and handling capabilities. Fed by triple SU HD8 carburettors and topped with a 'straight port' DOHC cylinder head, its indomitable 3781cc straight-six engine was quoted as developing some 265bhp and 260lbft of torque. Allied to a four-speed Moss gearbox (with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th), it reputedly enabled the E-type to sprint from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and onto 150mph. Achingly beautiful yet viciously quick, the E-type remains for many the ultimate production Jaguar.