Jaguar E Type V12

Jaguar E Type V12

Car type	Coupe
Curb weight	1511 Kg (3331 lbs)
Dimensions	4.68 m long, 1.68 m wide, 1.31m high
Wheelbase	2.67 m
Introduced	1971
Origin country	United Kingdom

Performance

0 - 100 kmph	6.0 s
0 - 60 mph	5.8 s
Top speed	245 kmph  (152 mph)

Powertrain specs

Engine type	Jaguar V12 5.3 Litre SOHC
Displacement	5.3 L (5342 cc)
Power	318 PS (314 bhp / 234 KW) @ 6200 rpm
Torque	473 N-m (349 lb-ft) @ 3800 rpm
Power / liter	60 PS (59 HP)
Power / weight	211 PS (208 bhp)/ t
Torque / weight	313 N-m (231 lb-ft)/ t
Transmission	4 Speed Manual
Layout	Front engine, Rear wheel drive

The Jaguar E-Type was introduced as a rear-wheel drive grand tourer in two-seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupé) and as a two-seater convertible "roadster" (OTS or Open Two Seater). A four seater version of the coupé, with a lengthened wheelbase, was released several years later.

The maximum speed is 153 mph (246 km/h)and the acceleration time for 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) was 7.6 seconds and for the 1⁄4 mile (402 m) from a standing start took 15.1 seconds. They summarised it as "In its 4.2 guise the E-Type is a fast car (the fastest we have ever tested) and offers just about the easiest way to travel quickly by road.".

Later model updates of the E-Type are actually the officially designated "Series 2" and "Series 3" and over time the earlier cars have came to be referred as "Series 1." As with the other partly hand made cars of that time, the changes were incremental and ongoing which has led to confusion over exactly what a Series 1 car is. This was of more than academic interest. As the Series 1 E Types and particularly Series 1 roadsters often had values far in excess of Series 2 and 3 models.

The Series 1 cars, which are by far the most valuable, essentially fall into two categories: Those made between 1961 and 1964, which had 3.8-litre engines and partial synchromesh transmissions, and the cars which were made between 1965–1967 had increased the engine size and torque by around 10% to 4.2 litres which added a fully synchronised transmission and also provided new reclining seats. An alternator in place of the dynamo, an electrical system switched to negative earth, a more reliable brake servo, and other modern amenities. Styling was unchanged.

As a result the 4.2 litre Type 1 had generally became the most valuable form of the car. However, at the end of 2014, the most expensive regular production Jaguar E-Types cars were sold at auction included a 4.2 litre Series 1 roadster with matching numbers, original paint and interior. Under 80,000 original miles, and a history of being in the original buyer's family for 45 years, for $467,000 in 2013, and a 3.8 litre 1961 "flat floor" Series 1, for $528,000 in 2014. For example, a 1963 E-type Lightweight Competition advertised as very original and with lots of patina one of just twelve that were built and was  sold for $7,370,000 at the 2017 Scottsdale, Arizona auctions.

By being a British made car of the 1960s, there are some rather rare sub types of Series 1 Jaguar E-Types, particularly at the beginning and end of the Series 1 production. For example, the first 500 Series 1 cars had a flat floors and an external bonnet latches. At the close of the Series 1 production run there had been a small number of cars which were produced that were  identical in every respect to other Series 1 units except that the headlight covers were removed for a better illumination. It is not known exactly how many of these Series 1 cars were produced, but given that 1,508 Series 1 roadsters were produced worldwide for 1967, combined with the fact that these examples were made in just the last several months of Series 1 production which means that like the flat floor examples that began the Series 1 production run and there are the lowest volume Series 1 variant which saves the course for the special lightweight variant cars.

While the 1968 Series has 1.5 cars which maintained the essential design of the Series 1 models. US emission regulations saw the Jaguar E-Types triple SU carburetors replaced there with the twin Zenith Stromberg units which resulted in a drop in claimed horsepower from 265 to 246 and torque from 283 to 263.

Of the "Series 1" cars, Jaguar manufactured some limited-edition variants, inspired by motor racing:

The "'Lightweight' E-Type" which was intended as a racing follow-up to the D-Type. Jaguar company had planned to produce 18 units but ultimately only 12 were reportedly built. Of those, two have been converted to low drag form and two others are known to have been crashed and deemed to be beyond repair, although one has now been rebuilt. The "Low Drag Coupe" was a technical exercise which was ultimately sold to a Jaguar racing driver. It is presently believed to be the part of the private collection of the current Viscount Cowdray. In 2014, Jaguar had announced its intention to build the remaining six lightweight cars at a cost of approximately £1 million each.

Safety and emissions regulations in the North American market resulted in Series 2 and 3 E-Types being fitted with a less attractive larger grille, wider wheel arches, and bigger bumpers.

The New York City Museum of Modern Art recognised the significance of the E-Type's design in 1996 by adding a blue roadster to its permanent design collection, one of only six automobiles to receive the distinction.