Quite a few sports car makers rely on the images of wild animals as their mascots: Ferrari has the prancing horse, Lamborghini employs the raging bull. Jaguar Ltd. was christened with the name of the fast feline, and perhaps no other manufacturer's products are quite so aptly named. A Jaguar sports car has to be quick, nimble, and ferocious-sounding, while always keeping its elegant composure.
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Jaguar's XK-E needs no further introduction. A Milestone Car, it is the only automobile prominently displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art. Launched in 1961 after just a few months of development as a Series One model, it looked drop-dead georgeous, but lacked otherwise. Constantly upgraded and refined, the 1969-71 Series Two models represent the zenith of its development in six cylinder form. Gone were most of the quirks--such as limited legroom, fixed seats, and non-synchronized transmissions--that gave rise to American customers' concerns, and the car fully complied with tightened emissions and safety laws, while still retaining most of its horsepower. It's the thinking man's E-Type, practical and reliable enough to be used as a daily driver.
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The E-Type presented here is a very special find. Sold new in Germany to a U.S. Air Force officer, the cat was soon shipped back to Southern California to be stationed near its original owner's base in Riverside County. Used sparingly, as a
Built in June of 1970, VIN *1R28187* is one of only 1,454 LHD 2-seater Coupes built for the year. All its numbers match; except for wheels and consumables (such as battery and tires), this Jag is all original, "as delivered."
Still proudly wearing its original blue-and-yellow California license plates, this feline is as healthy as a show cat travelling with its own veterinarian. It has never left the benevolent climate of the Golden State and is currently registered through August 2006. It has never been involved in an accident, is completely rust free, and has never needed any rust repair, either.
The original Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook is still with the car. Not shown, but also included, is a supplementary information manual, which is part of a factory shop manual.
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When inspecting a vintage Jaguar, closely examining the structural integrity of its monocoque ("unit body") is of paramount importance. Apart from being damaged by accidents, rust is a Jaguar's main enemy. Even in California an E-Type can rust from the inside out, if moisture has been allowed to be trapped inside its tunk compartment or beneath its floor mats!
Luckily, this fabulous specimen has always been kept in a well-ventilated, dry garage and has never been exposed to any traffic hazards. Hence, it still proudly wears its factory-applied coat of 'Royal Blue' paint. Subtle wear marks and a few, highly interesting manufacturing flaws--almost always erased during a restoration--further confirm its originality. This XK-E could serve as a true "reference car" at JCNA gatherings.
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A straight body, hallmark of unmolested originality. Pictures above clearly show the clean lines and bubble-free rocker panels of this elegant cat. The long, sexy bonnet and the doors open and close smoothly and feature perfect shut lines.
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More important than shiny paint: a healthy undercarriage. Ol' Sherlock himself could inspect this cat's belly with his magnifying glass and would not be able to find an ounce of corrosion. The car still displays the correct factory undercoat; no spray can artistry of any kind was ever performed. Even the vulnerable footwells are immaculately preserved.
Sure, you might be able to restore a rusty car, but you can't bring back originality for all the money in the world. It's priceless!
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And, yes, the original paint is still very glossy, irrefutable proof of the sheltered life this FHC ("Fixed Head Coupe") has led for almost 36 years.
Let's take a look at the big cat's heart now.
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Jaguar's venerable, Walter Hassan-designed DOHC straight six engine, fed by dual Stromberg carburettors, packs plenty of punch with 246hp, certainly providing more than sufficient agility to prevail on any U.S. highway. It's a bullet-proof drivetrain, built with trouble-free long distance touring in mind. This one runs smooth and without valve train clatter, doesn't overheat and displays great oil pressure, even after extended runs. Smoke upon start-up, oil consumption, annoying leaks? Not here!
A close look at the front suspension confirms: everything is clean and tight!
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While the E-Type relied on tried-and-true mechanical bits, its sleek exterior, penned by Malcolm Sayer, looks as sensational today as it did in 1961. Jaguar's interior is no less exciting to behold.
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A cockpit lifted straight from the Le Mans-winning D-type, the dash on our example presents itself phantastically preserved, with an absolutely crack-free top. White-on-black SMITHS instruments look beautiful; they all work, save for the clock, which is as timeless as the cat's design. Elegant, wood-and-aluminum steering wheel looks immaculate. An interesting, dealer-installed option is the WIPERDWELL dial for variable windshield wiper speeds. The Jag also features the rare German Nebelschlussleuchte (rear fog light) and its original, fully functional PHILIPS AM/FM radio.
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Contrary to popular belief, the neatly arranged rocker switches are NOT of the three-position variety (Off - Flicker - Dim), but function as their manufacturer intended. Gauges, map light, interior light . . . they all work!
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Only a low-mileage classic can offer such a delightful original cabin. Thirty-six years old, richly patinated, light gray CONNOLLY hides are still supple, have always been properly nourished. There are no rips or tears in door or side panels, center console, or sun visors. The wool headliner and the blue WILTON wool carpeting--original equipment both--are superbly preserved as well, mute testament to the car's low-mileage status.
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Odds and ends can be discreetly stowed in the roomy smuggler's box behind the seats. Close the lid, and nobody would guess it even exists!
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This is what a fine Jaguar tail is supposed to look like: chromed dual exhaust pipes, gleaming stainless steel closing panel, bright lenses, undamaged sheet metal, even underneath. Rubber weatherstripping is in excellent condition throughout.
Note the pop-out rear quarter windows and the--working--back-up lamps.
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Opening the practical hatch--another sensational trait, back in '61--reveals a large trunk. The XK-E is a true Grand Tourer for two. You could even take a couple of golf bags along on your next trip to Pebble!
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Left: Original jacking equipment.
Right: the best-preserved spare tire compartment we've seen. Mind you, this is all original, not restored!
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Spare still carries the goldish, protective covering. Wow!
Equally impressive: the superbly preserved, vintage DUNLOP SP Sport 'very high speed' tire of the dimension 185VR-15!
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Speaking of wheels, the cat comes with its full set of original, artillery-style, chromed steel rims and matching dog dish hub caps with 'E-Type' script. We doubt that more than one set of tires has been mounted on these rims during the car's lifetime; they are free of blemishes!
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The original owner's son wanted to give the car that traditional British look and recently had a set of wonderful, bolt-on DAYTON chrome spoke wheels installed. What tires did he choose? The finest, most expensive, and highest quality tires available today for an E-Type: brand new MICHELIN XAS tires of the correct dimension 185HR-15!
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Beautiful to behold, certainly, but what's it like driving a giant, phallic sculpture on wheels?
We couldn't wait to find out, which is why we took the cat through its paces on February 22nd, turning a great winter day into a perfect one!
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Our trip took us from Ventura to Santa Barbara, way up on Highway 154 to the Cold Springs Tavern for lunch, and back home again. The E-Type performed flawlessly, with superb 4-wheel disc brakes, taut suspension, and the easy-to-use 4-speed manual transmission, cradling us with the old-world opulence of a true 1960s supercar. Actually, the E might be the last affordable classic supercar, though prices are definitely on the rise. Will you ever be able to find another unrestored, low-mileage example such as this one?
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Prancing along the freeway, the cat's mere image approaching from behind opens up the passing lane. Through town, even in VIP-studded Santa Barbara and Montecito, this pedigreed feline leaves grown men ogling with desire and sentimental longings to a long-lost, unbridled, liberated era.
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Jaguar's XK-E has been rightfully called the World's most sophisticated adult toy. We could not envision a more satisfying, stress-reducing workout than a weekend getaway in this sexy machine.
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Park a brand new Mercedes SL or Porsche 911 next to this splendid E-Type and they pale in comparison. Who cares about these bloated sports car caricatures? We don't. Taste isn't defined by the amount of money spent on your set of wheels. This