The 1961 Jaguar E-Type

For anyone with a love of classic cars, the 1961 1961 jaguar e-type is the pinnacle. It was Jaguar’s most acclaimed design, one that was not only a great road car but an exceptional racing car as well. The e-type is the Jaguar that put the company on the map in a big way and set a standard for fast convertibles that other manufacturers still try to match today.

The first incarnation of the E-type was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1961. It was a sensation and it is reported that some 300,000 people viewed the cars on display. It had an incredibly low top speed of 150mph and it had companies like Ferrari scrambling to come up with something that could compete.

The Birth of a Legend: Celebrating the 1961 Jaguar E-Type’s Iconic Debut

Designed from the ground up by Cyril Crouch and Bob Knight, the E-type used a monocoque body with a front sub-frame made of Reynolds 531 alloy that attached to the front bulkhead. The rear suspension consisted of lower wishbones with half-shafts. The hood and fender assembly was hinged for full engine access. The cylinder heads were based on the competition D-type and the XKSS prototype that Briggs Cunningham entered at Le Mans in 1960.

Twelve E-Types were built in a lightweight form with racing in mind. They were named the Lightweight Series and they are highly sought after today. They are characterized by having an early version of the 3.8-liter engine and they have external hood latches and a separate louvre panel. This particular Lightweight is a fully restored Series 1 3.8 Flat Floor OTS and it has been meticulously cared for. It has been finished in a heritage correct Opalescent Gunmetal with a matching French Grey hood and it looks absolutely spectacular.