A superb and rare photo of the magnificent 1963 Jaguar E-Type
– or – Jaguar XK-E as
photographed for the 1963 model year.
What a striking car it was and still is. Some o the extraordinary
features are clearly visible in this typical swinging sixties scene photograph.
The Jaguar E-Type
(UK) or Jaguar XK-E (US) was produced
between 1961 and 1974. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and
competitive pricing resulted in a great success for Jaguar, with more than
70,000 E-Types being sold over its lifespan, and became an icon of 1960s
motoring. In March 2008, the Jaguar E-Type ranked first in the British
newspaper Daily Telegraph list of the "100 most beautiful cars" of
all time. In 2004, Sports Car International magazine placed the E-Type at
number one on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s. The E-Type was
initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourer in two seater
coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupé) and as convertible (OTS or Open Two
Seater). The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years
later. When released Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever
made". The model was made in 3 distinct versions generally referred to as
"Series 1", "Series 2" and "Series 3". A
transitional series between Series 1 and Series 2 is known unofficially as
"Series 1½". In addition, several limited-edition variants were
produced; The "'Lightweight' E-Type" which was apparently intended as
a sort of follow-up to the D-Type. Jaguar planned to produce 18 units but
ultimately only a dozen were reportedly built. Of those, one is known to have
been destroyed and two others have been converted to coupé form. The Series 1
was introduced, initially for export only, in March 1961. The domestic market
launch came four months later in July 1961. The cars at this time used the
triple SU carburetted 3.8 litre 6-cylinder
Jaguar XK6 engine from the XK150S. The first 500 cars built had flat floors and
external hood (bonnet) latches. These cars are rare and more valuable. After
that, the floors were dished to provide more leg room and the twin hood latches
moved to inside the car. The 3.8 litre engine was
increased to 4.2 litres in October
1964. All E-Types featured independent coil spring rear suspension with torsion
bar front ends, and four wheel disc brakes, in-board at the rear, all were power-assisted.
Jaguar was one of the first auto manufacturer to equip cars with disc brakes as
standard from the XK150 in 1958. The Series 1 can be recognised by glass
covered headlights (up to 1967), small "mouth" opening at the front,
signal lights and tail-lights above bumpers and exhaust tips under the licence
plate in the rear. 3.8 litre cars have
leather-upholstered bucket seats, an aluminium-trimmed centre instrument panel
and console (changed to vinyl and leather in 1963), and a 4-speed gearbox that
lacks synchromesh for 1st gear ("Moss box"). 4.2 litre cars have more
comfortable seats, improved brakes and electrical systems, and an
all-synchromesh 4-speed gearbox. 4.2 litre cars also have a badge
on the boot proclaiming "Jaguar 4.2 Litre E-Type" (3.8 cars
have a simple "Jaguar" badge). Optional extras included Chrome Spoked
wheels and a detachable hard top for the Open Two Seater. A 2+2 version of the
coupé was added in 1966. The 2+2 offered the option of an automatic
transmission. The body is 9 in (229 mm) longer and
the roof angles are different with a more vertical windscreen. The roadster
remained a strict two-seater. There was a transitional series of cars built in
1967-68, unofficially called "Series 1½", which are externally
similar to Series 1 cars. Due to American pressure the new features were open
headlights, different switches, and some de-tuning (with a downgrade of twin
Zenith-Stromberg carbs from the original triple SU carbs) for US models. Some
Series 1½ cars also have twin cooling fans and adjustable seat backs. Series 2
features were gradually introduced into the Series 1, creating the unofficial
Series 1½ cars, but always with the Series 1 body style. Less widely known,
there was also right at the end of Series 1 production and prior to the
transitional "Series 1½" referred to above, a very small number of
Series 1 cars produced with open headlights. These are sometimes referred to as
"Series 1¼" cars. Production dates on these machines vary but in
right hand drive form production has been verified as late as March 1968. It is
thought that the low number of these cars produced relative to the other Series
make them amongst the rarest of all production E Types. An open 3.8 litre car, actually the first
such production car to be completed, was tested by the British magazine The
Motor in 1961 and had a top speed of 149.1 mph (240.0 km/h) and could
accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.1
seconds. A fuel consumption of 21.3 miles per imperial gallon
(13.3 L/100 km; 17.7 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost
£2097 including taxes.
Jaguar Cars
Limited, based in Coventry, England, was founded
as the Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool in 1922,
changing to SS Cars Ltd in 1934 in Coventry, and finally
becoming Jaguar Cars Ltd in 1945. Founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in
1922, by two motorcycle enthusiasts, William Lyons and William Walmsley, the SS
Jaguar name first appeared on a 2.5 litre saloon in 1935. The
Jaguar name was given to the entire company in 1945 when the SS was dropped due
to lack of popularity from WWII. Jaguar made its name in the 1950s with a
series of elegantly-styled sports cars and luxury saloons. The company bought
the Daimler Motor Company (not to be confused with Daimler-Benz), in 1960 from
Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). From the late 1960s, Daimler was used as a
brand name for Jaguar's most luxurious saloons. The company has had major
success in sports car racing, particularly in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Victories
came in 1951 and 1953 with the C-Type, then in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with the
D-Type. The manager of the racing team during this period, Lofty England, later
went on to become CEO of Jaguar in the early 1970s. Although the prototype XJ13
was built in the mid-1960s it was never raced, and the famous race was then
left for many years, until in the mid-1980s when Tom Walkinshaw's TWR team
started designing and preparing Jaguar V12-engined sports prototypes for
European sports car races. The team started winning regularly from 1987, and
with increased factory backing the team won Le Mans in 1988 and 1990.
In the late 1990s, Ford decided that Jaguar would
be the corporation's Formula One entry. Ford bought out the semi-works Stewart
Grand Prix team and rebranded it as Jaguar Racing. The Jaguar F1 program was
not a success however, achieving only two podium finishes in five seasons of
competition between 2000 and 2004. At the end of 2004, with costs mounting and
Ford's profits dwindling, the F1 team was sold to Red Bull energy drinks owner
Dietrich Mateschitz, and it became Red Bull Racing. Since 2004 Jaguar has not
had an official presence in motorsport.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a
wonderful era of Jaguar and automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this
photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12"
(ca. 20 x 30 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.