Everyone knows the Jaguar E-Type is a very special car, but how much do you know about its history? Take a look at the fascinating history of the vehicle Enzo Ferrari once called “The most beautiful car in the world.”

Beginnings of a Classic

Over 60 years ago, a new Jaguar was unveiled to unprecedented levels of excitement, partly driven by Jaguar’s ongoing success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans event over the previous few years. We know it as an iconic, swoon-inducing class, and the history of the E-Type began with appropriate drama. Stuck in Britain, fulfilling media demand for more and more road tests, it looked like the car wouldn’t make it to the Geneva Auto Salon, where it was due to be unveiled on March 15, 1961. Jaguar PR executive, Bob Berry, utilized his ex-racing driver skills and dashed from Coventry to Geneva, arriving a mere 20 minutes before the big reveal. The boss of Jaguar, Sir William Lyons, then ordered a second demo car, and racing driver/development engineer Norman Dewis had to do another cross-Europe race against time!

The new Jaguar E-Type absolutely stole the show. Its unique, curvaceous looks made it desirable. At a starting price of £2097 (around $44,000 today) for the Roadster model, it was surprisingly affordable compared to other sportscars on the market at that time.

Under the Hood

The Jaguar E-Type was built with the same 3.8-liter engine that raced at Le Man five times in Jaguar C- and D-Types. The 265 brake horsepower engine made the E-Type the fastest production car made anywhere in the world, with cited top speeds of 150 miles per hour — although standard production models would struggle to reach these speeds. Cars specially prepared for testing did produce speeds just in excess of this, though, drumming up enough excitement that over 70,000 units were produced and sold in the first 14 years of its existence.

Jaguar E-Type Development History

In 1964, Jaguar decided to fit the Series 1 E-Type with a 4.2-liter XK engine and an updated manual gearbox. This provided additional torque for a sportier, more responsive drive. They also launched a family-friendly 2+2 model in 1966, with four seats, a longer wheelbase, and much more space inside while retaining the curvy looks of its predecessor.

Jaguar E-Type Series 2

The 1968 Series 2 included changes that were aimed at satisfying the demands of American National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration rules. This was important because the United States was a huge export base for Jaguar. Changes included removing glass headlight covers, adding bigger indicators, and a including wrap-around rear bumper. The seats were altered to accommodate head restraints, and the ignition switch moved from the dash to the steering column.

Both BHP and torque were lowered, while features such as air conditioning and power steering became options for buyers. The Series 2 was in production until 1971, when the Series 3 was introduced.

Series 3

In 1971, Jaguar transformed the E-Type with a 5.3-liter V12 engine, modern brakes, power steering, and the first option for automatic transmission. The short wheelbase model was eventually discontinued, and the American variants again had additional features, such as extra indicators, to match national driving laws. Over 15,000 Series 3 E-Types were produced, with production ending in 1974 as Jaguar got ready to launch its XJ range in 1975.

Today’s Buying Options for the Jaguar E-Type

Classic Jaguars are always in demand, but perhaps none so much as the Jaguar E-Type. In America, the Jaguar E-Type is sold as the Jaguar XKE, so bear this in mind if you’re in the market for this classic sportscar. XKEs are sought after thanks to their drivability, sleek looks, and rich history. Today’s options include:

• Buying a good condition E-Type second hand: buy at auction, from a collector, or another private seller. Look out for rust and poor restoration jobs.
• Buy one in less great condition and restore it yourself: If you have a professional-level workshop (or access to one) and a ton of time on your hands, you could consider buying an E-Type in less-than-prestige condition and restoring it yourself. Bear in mind this will be an expensive and highly time-consuming task.
• Buy a custom-built vehicle restored to impeccable standards: Consider buying a completely customized Jaguar E-Type, lovingly crafted by the technicians and artisans at ECD Autodesign.

ECD Classic Jaguars

ECD’s Classic Jaguars combine the iconic 1960s design with carefully restored interiors and exteriors, plus a range of features that bring this classic up to date. Choose a Tesla electric motor while keeping historic paint colors and carefully tailored interiors. Or choose the 450 hp LTI GM, or even retain a classic Jaguar engine for true authenticity.

Join an elite ownership club of a car that has never and will never go out of style. Contact us today to find out more.