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Summer Wine Classic Car Hire Ltd.

Jaguar E-Type

Summer Wine

Classic Car Hire

Ltd

.

The Jaguar E-Type, which was unveiled to the world at the GenevaMotor Show in March 1961, is arguably the most famous andbeautiful production car of all time. Throughout its 13 year historythe car was always sold in both roadster and fixed head coupe formand, unusually, the coupe is considered by many to be the moreattractive version.

The E-Type was of complex and strong monocoque constructionwith a triangulated front subframe and all independent suspension(wishbone and torsion bar at the front developed from the racing D-Types and a superbly balanced system at the rear utilising coilspring/shock absorber units mounted in a cage together with theaxle, drive shafts and inboard brakes). The car had disc brakes allround and rack and pinion steering.

The first E-Types used the 3.8 litre version of the XK six cylinderengine as fitted to the XK150 fuelled by three two inch SUcarburettors. Jaguar claimed a power output of 265 bhp. The XK'sfour speed Moss gearbox and Borg and Beck clutch were also usedin the new car.

Jaguar’s E-Type is arguably the most famousand beautiful production car of all time.


Summer Wine

Classic Car Hire

Ltd

.

The dashboard layout followed the style of the Mark II saloon whichhad been launched in late 1959 and the basic layout continued in allnew Jaguars up to and including the Series One XJ6. The middle areaof the dashboard and the centre console were finished in alloy. Thespeedometer and rev counter were positioned directly ahead of thedriver behind an attractive slimline wooden steering wheel. Water,fuel, oil and amperage gauges were located in the middle of thedash. Trim was stylishly restrained and the occupants sat in leatherbucket seats.

Heeding complaints from customers and dealers, the car receivedmodifications and upgrades throughout its production life. All butthe very earliest cars were fitted with water deflector shields for thefront axle carrier and internal bonnet release catches (the first carshad an externally accessed lock operated by a T-bar) and in 1962 thefloor pan was altered to accommodate taller drivers. Carsmanufactured before this modification subsequently became knownas 'flat floor' E-Types.

Further changes included a self adjusting handbrake in October1961, a one piece forged steering column in 1962 and thicker brakediscs and new calipers in 1963. then in 1964 a torquier 4.2 litreversion of the engine replaced the 3.8 together with a number ofother changes which updated the car and helped it maintained itsplace at the top of the sports car ratings.


Summer Wine

Classic Car Hire

Ltd

.

These included a Jaguar designed all synchro gearbox, twin petrolpumps, Lucas alternator, pre-engaged starter and more comfortableseats (the centre area of the dashboard was covered in black vinyl onlater 3.8 cars and this continued on the new 4.2).

In 1966 Jaguar brought out a 2+2 version of the car to expand itsappeal, particularly in the USA. The floorpan was stretched by nineinches to accommodate rear seating, the doors were lengthenedand the roofline was raised by two inches. The exercise was a stylisticand sales success, making the E-Type an option for people needingto carry more than one passenger.

Another significant event in 1966 was Jaguar's merger with BMCand Pressed Steel to form British Motor Holdings Ltd. This in turn ledto the company becoming part of British Leyland when Leylandeffectively took BMH over at the beginning of 1968.

Late in 1967 the flared triplex headlight covers were dropped androcker switches replaced the toggle switches on the dashboard.There was also a new radiator and an extra cooling fan. Cars withthese amendments later became known as Series One-and-a-halfmodels because in October 1968, the Series 2 was announced. Mostof the new model's modifications and revisions were designed tomeet increasingly stringent American safety legislation.


Summer Wine

Classic Car Hire

Ltd

.

The cars had wider mouthed bonnets, larger bumpers, morepowerful wiper motors, twin reversing lights, repositioned sidelightsand indicators and the headlights were moved forwards by twoinches. Power steering was introduced as an optional extra and thewindscreen was changed on 2+2 cars to a more curved version withan increased rake angle.

During 1969 new camshafts were fitted for quieter running andother changes included door armrests, a steering column lock and agas filled bonnet stay. In 1970 non-eared safety hub caps were fittedand disc wheels were introduced as an option.

In 1971 Jaguar adapted the E-Type again, this time to shoehorn itsnew 5.3 litre V12 engine into the car to give it a final lease of life asthe Series Three. The new model adopted the lengthened 2+2floorpan for all variants The track was widened by more than fourinches and steel wheels became standard.

Further modifications and changes included the further widening ofthe car's bonnet mouth, the adoption of a radiator grille, a newsteering wheel, lowered floor to increase legroom, power steering asstandard and a collapsible steering wheel. An automatic gearbox,which had been introduced at the launch of the 2+2, was madeavailable for the new 5.3 litre roadster.


Summer Wine

Classic Car Hire

Ltd

.

The E-Type continued to be refined and improved but industrialdisputes disrupted manufacturing a number of times and by 1974being part of British Leyland was having a detrimental effect onJaguar's image. US legislation and the oil crises of the time also hitsales hard. A combination of these factors, together with the fact thecar was essentially 13 years old, brought about the decision to endproduction in September of that year.

Summer Wine Classic Car Hire’s Jaguar E-Type is available forhire from £172 per day. If you have any questions or would liketo check availability call Richard Skelton or Loretta Catlow on01484 688 244 or email [email protected].

* Based on 7 day hire rate. Single day hire rate £245 per day.

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