Jaguar E-Type

It’s tempting to leave the overview of the E-Type at the title. It is the World’s most desirable sports car. Pick up any classic car book and read why “Jaguar’s E-Type was the sexiest motor car ever launched” or how “The E-Type became a byword for glamour, speed and style”. E-Types look great in photos, but even better in the flesh.

Through its development, the E-Type had an incredible racing pedigree to build on. In the 1950’s, Jaguar virtually owned Le Mans with its C and D-Type racers. It was the latter that the E-Type was to be the successor to, not for racing, but to be the World’s best road going sports car to replace the XK Series of cars.

The E-Type took the best from both its “parents”, the fantastic XK engine that had been progressively developed and aerospace design principles for its structure from the D-Type. It’s the wrapping that gets the attention though. The Malcolm Sayer design for the body of the E-Type managed to combine aerodynamic efficiency with artistic line perfectly. All this, and in 1961 the E-Type had a top speed of 150mph.

Aspirations E-Type is a 1969 Series II car, with the 4.2 litre engine. As driver’s cars, these can be slightly more appealing, as foot wells were introduced into the previous flat floors of the Series 1 models. It’s still fair to say however, as in all E-Types, the cabin is cramped. After you’ve driven it though, one thought springs to mind – “who cares!”.

In the owners opinion, everyone should drive an E-Type at least once in their life.

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