The Jaguar E-Type

1964 Jaguar E-type soft top

Overview

This page dives into the famous Jaguar E-Type (XK-E for North America), some of its history, and plenty of specifics detailing the differences between each model. We come across several E-Types every year so we will try to fill this page with images of each model over the next little while. We hope you enjoy this page as much as we enjoyed creating it!

One of the Greats

The Jaguar E-Type (XK-E) was, and still is, one of the greatest sports cars ever created. At least, that’s what we believe. The greatest car ever debate is like trying to have the Michael Jordan vs Lebron James or the Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson debate. It always depends, it’s a matter of opinion, and it’s how you set the criteria. We absolutely adore this vehicle of British engineering and design excellence. 

Dave’s been in love with the E-Type since his first in 1972, a Blue 1966 4.2 Fixed-head coupe. Ever since, he, and the team at BMC, have been buying, selling, repairing, and restoring all different E-Types.

The E-Type was first launched in March of 1961 at the International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland (Skilliter, 1986). It stole the show and went on to receive a huge amount of attention  and critical acclaim in all of its subsequent years of production. 

1964 Jaguar E-type engine for sale
A nice view of the infamous inline 6 with its 3 SU carburetors

Great sports cars must have a great racing history, and the Jaguar E-Type is no different. The car’s greatest recognized feature, its stunning shape and lines, were inherited from the Jaguar D-Type. Its designer, Malcom Sayer, applied his background in aircraft design to push the boundaries of vehicle aerodynamics. This novel approach using mathematics and wind-tunnel tests resulted in not only a faster car using less horsepower, but true beauty in the shape of an automobile. 

The D-Type would also inspire performance in the E-Type by winning the Le Manns 24-hour race in 1955, 1956, and absolutely devastating Ferrari and Maserati in 1957 by taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th places (Skilliter, 1986). 

A page dedicated to the Jaguar E-Type would not be complete without mentioning its engine. The brilliantly engineered 3.4 six-cylinder engine used in its predecessor, the XK 150, was developed into a 3.8 along with visually-appealing triple SU carburettors. This granted the flagship E-Type Fixed-head Coupe 0 – 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.

For your convenience, below we provide details about all 3 series of the Jaguar E-type.

Jaguar E Type Series 1 Coupé 1964
Jaguar E Type Series 1 FH Coupe 1964

Jaguar E-Type (XK-E) Series 1 

3.8 Fixed-head coupe (1961 – 1964)

Engine6-cylinder, 87x106mm, 3,781cc, CR 9:1, 3 2” SU Carbs, rated 265bhp at 5,500rpm. Maximum torque 260 lb ft at 4,000rpm. 
TransmissionAxle ratio 3.31:1 (alternatives 2.93, 3.27, 3.07, 3.54, 3.77, 4.09).
Overall gear ratios3.31, 4.25, 6.16, 11.18, reverse 11.18. Mph/1,000rpm in top gear: 23.0 (3.31), 21.5(3.54), 24.8 (3.07, 26.0 (2.93) all RS5 tires.
Suspension and brakesIfs, torsion bars, wishbones and telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar; lrs, coil springs, lower wishbone/drive shaft, radius arms, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rack-and-pinion steering. 11in disc brakes front and 10-in rear. 6.40-15in tires on 5in rim wire wheels; 5 ½ in-rim rear wheels optional.
DimensionsWheelbase 8ft; front track 4ft 2in; rear track 4ft 2in. Length 14ft 7 ½ in; width 5ft 5 ¼ in; height 4ft. Unladen weight 24 ¼ cwt
Basic price£1,550

3.8 Open two-seater (1961- 1964)

Specification as for fixed-head coupe 3.8 except for:

Height (hood up)3ft 11in.
Unladen weight 24 cwt
Basic price:£1,480
Jaguar E Type Series 1 (1962)
Jaguar E-Type Series 1 OTS 1962

4.2 Fixed-head coupe (1964 – 1967) 

Specification as for 3.8 except for:

Engine6cyl, 92.07x106mm, 4,235cc, CR 9:1 (8:1 optional), 3 2in SU carbs, rated 265bhp (gross) at 5,400rpm. Maximum torque 283 lb ft at 4,000rpm.
TransmissionAxle ratio 3.07:1 (alternatives as for 3.8).
Overall gear ratios3.07, 3.90, 5.34, 8.23, reverse 9.45.
Unladen weight24 cwt
Basic price£1,648

4.2 Open two-seater (1964 – 1967)

Specification as for fixed-head coupe except for:

Height (hood up)3ft 11in.
Unladen weight 24 ½ cwt
Basic price:£1,568
1964 Jaguar E-type for sale
Jaguar E Type OTS 1964

4.2 Two-plus-two (Series 1) (1966 – 1967)

Specification as for fixed-head coupe except for:

DimensionsWheelbase 8ft 9in; front track 4ft 2 ¼ in; rear track 4ft 2 ¼ in. Length 15ft 4 ½ in; width 5ft 6in; height 4ft 2 ½ in.
Unladen weight27 ¾ cwt
Transmission (manual)Axle ratio 3.07:1 (alternatives as for fixed-head coupe).
Overall gear ratios3.07, 4.07, 6.06, 9.33, reverse 10.71.
Mph/100024.8 (Dunlop SP41 radial-ply tires).
Automatic ratios6.91, 4.20, 2.88
Unladen weight27 ½ cwt
Basic price£1,857 (manual)

Jaguar E-Type Series 2

4.2 Fixed-head coupe (1968 – 1971)

Specification as for Series 1 except for:

Unladen weight25 ½ cwt
Width5ft 6 ¼ in
Emission engine171bhp (DIN) at 4,500rpm. Maximum torque 230lb ft at 2,500rpm
Basic price£1,740

4.2 Open two-seater (1968 – 1971)

Specification as for Series 1 except for:

Unladen weight25 cwt
Width 5ft 6 ¼ in
Basic price£1,655

Mechanical specification as for Series 2 fixed-head coupe.

4.2 Two-plus-two (1968 – 1971)

Specification as for Series 1 except for:

Unladen weight28 ¼ cwt
Width5ft 6 ¼ in
Basic price£1,922

Mechanical specification as for Series 2 fixed-head coupe.

1968 jaguar E rdstr series 1.5
Jaguar E Type OTS 1968

Jaguar E-Type Series 3

5.3 Two-plus-two (Series 3) (1971 – 1973)

Engine12-cyl, 90x70mm, 5,343cc, CR 9:1, 4 Zenith-Stromberg 175CDSE carbs, rated 272bhp (DIN) at 5,850rpm. Maximum torque 304 lb ft (DIN) at 3,600rpm.
TransmissionAxle ratio 3.07:1 (alternative ratios as for 4.2 but normally 3.31 or 3.54)
Overall gear ratios3.07, 4.27, 5.86, 9.00, reverse 10.37
Mph/1000rpm in top gear24.7
Suspension and brakesIfs, torsion bars, anti-dive wishbones and telescopic dampers, anti-roll bars; Irs, coil springs, lower wishbone/drive shaft, raidus arms, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rack-and-pinion steering. 11.2in vented discs frontm 10.4in solid discs rear. E70VR-15in tires on 6in-rim wheels (steel or wire)
DimensionsWheelbase 8ft 9in; front track 4ft 6 ½ in; rear track 4ft 5in; width 5 ft 6 ¼ in; height 4ft 3in
Unladen weight29 ½ cwt
Basic price£2,708

5.3 Open two-seater (Series 3) (1971 – 1975)

Specification as for two-plus-two except for:

Height4ft 1in
Unladen weight28 ¾ cwt
Basic price£2,510
1974 Jaguar E-Type opalescent green front passenger
Jaguar E Type OTS V12 1974

Jaguar E-Type Factory Paint Codes & Interior Colours

Combination NumberBody ColorInterior
1CreamBlack
2Warwick GreyRed, light tan, dark blue
3Sherwood GreenSuede green, light tan, tan
4Dark BlueRed, light blue, grey
5BlackRed, grey, tan, light tan
6Carmen RedBlack
7Opalescent Silver GreyRed, light blue, dark blue, grey
8Opalescent Silver BlueGrey, dark blue
9Opalescent Dark GreenSuede green, beige, tan, light tan
10Opalescent MaroonMaroon, beige
11Golden SandRed, light tan
12Pale PrimroseBlack, beige
13Willow GreenGrey, suede green, tan, light tan
14BeigeRed, suede green, tan, light tan
15British Racing GreenSuede green, beige, tan, light tan
16Ascot FawnRed, beige, cinnamon
17SableBeige, grey, cinnamon
18Light BlueDark blue, grey, light blue
19Regency RedBeige, grey
20Old English WhiteBlack, red, French blue, dark blue
21Fern GreyMoss green, olive, tan
22TurquoiseTan, terracotta, cinnamon
23Green SandTan, olive, cinnamon
24HeatherMaroon, antelope, cerise
25Lavender BlueFrench blue, biscuit, dark blue
26Signal RedBlack, biscuit, dark blue
27Azure BlueDark blue, biscuit, cinnamon
28IndigoRed, light blue
29PearlDark blue, red
30Opalescent Dark BlueDark blue, red
31Opalescent GunmetalDark blue, light blue, red, beige
32Imperial MaroonTan
33Cotswold BlueDark blue
34Mist GreyRed
35BronzeBeige, red, tan
36ClaretBeige
37SandBlack, beige
38Opalescent MaroonMaroon, beige

How Many Jaguar E-Types XKE Were Produced?

ModelRHDLHDTotal
3.8 Open two-seater94268857827
3.8 Fixed-head coupe179858717669
4.2 Open two-seater118283669548
4.2 Fixed-head coupe195758137770
4.2 2-plus-2137842205598
4.2 Series 2 Open two-seater77578528627
4.2 Series 2 Fixed-head coupe107037854855
4.2 Series 2 2-plus-2104042865326
5.3 Series 3 Open two-seater187161197990
5.3 Series 3 2-plus-22115 51827297
Total 3.8 Cars15,496
Total 4.2 Cars22,916
Total 4.2 Series 2 Cars18,808
Total 5.3 Series 3 Cars15,287
Grand Total All Cars72,507
(Skilleter, 1986)

Citations:

Skilleter, P. (1986). The Jaguar E-type: a collectors guide. Croydon, England: Motor Racing Publications.