1961. This year was memorable with the first manned flight into space and the construction of the Berlin Wall. Test of a hydrogen bomb in the USSR and suicide of Ernest Hemingway. Vietnamese War and the beginning of the scandalous disclosure of Soviet intelligence network in London. And for the automotive world, he will always be remembered as the year of the legendary Jaguar E-type.
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Jaguar E-type - probably the most famous and legendary car ever built in the British Isles. Like a work of art, he continues to excite the minds and makes the heart beat faster after only one look at him. The most beautiful car of 60th in the center of our attention today.
Premiere of E-type was held in Switzerland at the Geneva Motor Show 1961. From the first day of the show car has eclipsed the beauty all around - Jaguar stand at the center of attention, and from those who want to buy a novelty no lack!
--> Just one month after the European premiere of E-type it was shown in North America, a key market for Jaguar. Its premiere took place at the Auto Show in New York in April 1961 preceded by powerful PR company in the media. The car was positioned like something exclusive, available not t everyone. In the promotion of E-type was involved even Playboy magazine, on pages of which E-type was in a constantly varying degrees of naked girls. Even at the premiere in New York City E-type was introduced by a rising star of Playboy - Lora Grybaleva. So American bohemians noticed this car immediately. And instantly in love with him.
The car turned out to be extremely beautiful. Even Enzo Ferrari - the more connoisseur of automotive art - said that “this is the most beautiful car ever built by man”. With the submission of Playboy, the car has become popular among musicians and movie stars, who preferred him to “banal” Corvettes, Mustangs or the more expensive and prestigious Ferraris and Maseratis. So today, it is difficult to remember a star 60, that did not have a handsome E-type in the garage. Or is it - "beauty"? The sex of the car is quite difficult to establish. Some perceived the E-type as an exclusively male car, including its long hood obvious allusion to the male principle. For other E-type - elegant thoroughbred English "cat", with a sly squint eyes and seductive convex sides. In a converged and those and others – there wasn’t more beautiful and elegant car in the world.
But the price was quite democratic, especially as a powerful engine under the hood and "royal" descent. In America, for the car asking $ 5600, which was several times cheaper than the most affordable "Ferrari".
Inside
The first E-type were equipped with in-line 6-cylinder engines in volume of 3,8 l. Power was solid 265HP and provided more than impressive dynamics - the car a top speed of 240km / h! With the introduction of the scale 2 +2 coupe, this engine was replaced with a new volume of 4.2l. This engine had a high torque at equal power, but it did not improve the dynamics (acceleration to 100 km / h in 7.1 seconds).
The car was equipped with disc brakes (which at the time was attribute of racing cars only), had a fully independent rear suspension and many technical solutions borrowed from race cars.
From the outset, Jaguar E-type was available in two body styles - Roadster and Coupe (Fixed Head Coupe). Later it added in the third variant - 2 +2 coupe with a long base, created specifically for the American market.
Versions
During 14 years of production in the design and construction of E-type some changes were introduced - relating to the technical stuffing, the exterior or interior car.
The first major upgrade was carried out in 1969. In fact, it was the first restyling an elderly model. The car was popular on both sides of the ocean, and yet the designers have decided to refresh the appearance of a little English "cat." Outside machine of this series differ only by minor touches - headlights without ceiling, a new grille, bumper and new tail lights. Interior has been fully redesigned - appeared a new front fascia, more comfortable leather chairs, air conditioning system. Under the hood also some changes were made - newly redesigned engine cooling system, improved noise reduction and increased the diameter of the brake discs. Updated car called E-type Series 2.
Series 3. Barely two years old, in 1971, E-type again underwent modernization, for the last time in his life. Cars Series 3 finally got a powerful 6.3-liter V12, which turned charming E-type in an aggressive and evil monster (272 horses under the hood to disperse E-type to "hundreds" of 6.6 seconds!). Naturally, that aggression and anger did not show externally, and without E-type was still very elegant and harmonious car. Although some changes in design yet occurred - to implant 12-cylinder engine had a few extended hood - but it only added sexy and attractive appearance "Jaguar."
E-type Lightweight - thoroughbred athlete, designed specifically for racing. Like modern Gallardo Superleggera or F430 Scuderia, the car was as lightweight as possible and modernized to participate in sports. Inside, there are only the most necessary - as a simplified instrument panel and hard racing seats. They even removed the lining - all to save weight. Powerful 3.8-liter engine was able to raise up to 320HP, which, coupled with a light body provides easy hurricane dynamics - 287km / h top speed! Yet, a full competitor to Ferrari 250GTO and failed. Lightweight suspension was not different from the usual E-type, so the battle with Ferrari on the track she did not have a chance. E-type Lightweight and did not win a single race. Originally planned to release 18 of these cars, but in the end had collected about 10.
E-type Low Drag Coupe - one of the most rare versions of E-type. He had a bit modified body (created from the standard "coupe") and an upgraded engine of 4.5 liters. The rarest version of E-type prevents him to be even more rare version E-type Series 3 with 4.2l six-cylinder engine.
In just 14 years, has sold more than 72 thousand E-type of all versions, and more than 60% of the cars were American residence.
Version | Series 1 | Series 1 | Series 2 | Series 3 | E-type Lightweight | E-type Low Drag Coupe |
Year of production | 1961-1969 | 1966-1969 | 1969-1971 | 1971-1975 | 1963-1964 | 1962 |
Engines | 3,8L 265hp 4,2L | 4,2L | 4,2L | 5,3L V12 4,2L V6 | 3,8L 320hp | 4,5L |
Produced | 3,8L – 15490 4,2L -17320 | 10,950 | 13490 | 15290 | Lesser 10 | Lesser 5 |
The global financial crisis of the mid 70's ruined many beautiful cars, and Jaguar E-type was no exception. Fuel prices soared to such heights that even the rich and wasteful before Americans began to abandon large and voracious automobiles. Latest E-type were released in 1975, only 49 cars. They were all painted black, as if symbolizing sadness. Last the assembly line at a factory in Coventry went black roadster with an engine V12, which took pride place in the company's museum.
Pricing Nowadays
As half a century ago, the E-type is offered at quite reasonable prices that range from 10,000 euros for car sets - up to 50,000 for a fairly well-kept cars. A kind of "budget" oldtimer. After all, for E-type, which became the symbol of an era and still is an exceptional example of the style and beauty of this little money.
