How did the Iconic Jaguar E-Type come to be?

The Jaguar E-Type may be the most beautiful car in history. It’s certainly one of the most sought after, with cars fetching crazy prices at auction. It’s a car born out of a Le Mans-winning heritage, delivering looks with speed and handling to match, all at an affordable price. Yet somehow it had a top speed over 150mph, while also not having a top speed over 150mph!

#JaguarEType #JaguarXKE #EType

[johntechwriter]

Malcolm Sayer was, you might know, a designer of aircraft before he went to Jaguar. The magic of the XK-E's styling is its fuselage design. Like an airplane, the car's body is in the form of a tube, where the rocker panels curve underneath to tuck the body around itself while most contemporary cars' rocker panels were squared off.

Inside, the aircraft-type cockpit wrapped itself around the driver and passenger. Even later large sedans like the XJ6 retained that intimate cockpit interior, which made the insides of their German competitors seem barn-like by comparison.

Thanks to the genius of Sayer, and the willingness of Jaguar founder William Lyons to take big risks that shook the entire industry, even the Italians had to concede the timeless beauty of not just the E-Type, but so many Jaguar sedans and sports cars.

[johnaustin]

Because it's stylish, rounded and British. Exactly like the Spitfire Aeroplane

[philnorton]

I ran a 1964 3.8 FHC for seven years and 217, 000 miles. I had to make a few "adjustments" to crack a genuine 150mph, but it already had 70, 000 miles behind it when I bought it. Easily the best sports car of its time, especially in terms of performance, durability, and reliability.
ETA: It cost me £500 (ten weeks average pay at the time)!

[Yoda]

I have owned a E-Type Series I since 1974. Most of the problems were due to bad grounding. Once I figured that out, it has been very reliable.

One more thing, I know this is about Jaguars, but that German car is pronounced in two syllables like the Shakesperian character Portia.

[henripiedboeuf]

I agree, This is one of the most beautifll cars ever made . The interior is even more spectacular than the outside in my opinion. Thanks for the high quality video as usual.

[soaringvulture]

I remember when the E-type first came out. It was like something from another planet. A really stunning car; it still is.

[fontkinga]

By far the most beautiful car ever produced and the biggest pain in the ass to own and maintain. I had a '66 Roadster in a Champagne Metallic with Black interior and it was gorgeous. Had I kept the car all these years, it would be worth a lot of money BUT...I wouldn't. The things that can and do go wrong with E-Types would amaze most people. There is a reason for the term "Lucas...Prince of Darkness".

[PeterJohnsonWales]

Great video thx. I'm a totally biased Jag fan and don't think anything by anyone has come close to the original E type for looks or value.

[Anatoli]

Dad and I owned many Jaguars, including one particular 1963 XKE OTS for over 45 years. We also owned a 1969 Series II 4.2 liter coupe at the same time. Comparing the 2 cars was inevitable and fun. The 3.8 liter series I car was quicker, faster, lighter, and sportier. The engine revved out better: I saw 6200 rpm at 147 mph indicated speed several times. The Dunlop brakes on the early car were frightening when cold. The Moss gearbox had weak syncros and didn’t like speed shifting, but once you learned the secrets it was a joy to operate. I could successfully double clutch into first gear when running a gymkhana course without grinding, but that was rarely necessary in ordinary driving. The Series II car benefitted from many refinements. It was quieter, had far better brakes, more torque, and the 2 Stromberg carbs were easier to keep in tune than the triple SU’s on the 3.8. The seats were a huge improvement. The steering and heater also worked better, the transmission was a Jaguar built unit with full syncromesh and easier operation. The clutch was also stronger and smoother. The 4.2 was good for 137 mph or so as it wasn’t as happy at high revs. We also had a 1976 XJ6 Coupe, that paired the 4.2 liter with a GM sourced 3 speed Turbo Hydro 400 auto transmission. While not as sporty as the E Types, it was a very beautiful car with excellent road manners and a truly comfortable and tasteful interior. My 1953 XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe was the great grandpa of the XJ6. It looked like a million bucks but the interior was cramped like the later E Type. Ride quality was very good but ergonomics had yet to be invented. It would go 130 mph though..

[kentleytaggart]

That car is the most stunning looker ever made.😍

[MayheM_]

When I was a kid, there was an elderly couple who went to my church. They had several Jaguars, but I just LOVED when they drove their E-type coupe. It was one of the most beautiful cars I had ever seen, and I still feel that way whenever I see one today! (They told me that the reason they had 4 Jags was that you needed 3 or more to keep one on the road..lol!)

[moritzwear]

Great! Having owned 2 fantastic Jaguar E-Types for many years and now using a FIAT Multipla as much loved daily driver I never laughed as much as when I watched the beginning of your E-Type story. You are totally right. Thanks a lot!

[andysmith]

I was born in 1960 and my 2 favourite matchbox cars as a kid was my red E type and my white Ford GT 40, I still have them today nearly 60 years later, Your videos are so interesting and informative, I love the ones on the iconic cars of the 60's and 70's, esp the run of the mill family cars I used to travel in as a kid, they bring back many happy memories, thanks mate, keep up the great work 👍👍👍

[Sandhoeflyerhome]

A kindly voice, not boring, well spoken content. Moreover, I really learnt from your video. Example, I had no idea the "C" in C type meant competition !! On this basis I subscribed. Well done.

[fransdielis]

This is one of the greatest
Togheter with the Austin Healy 3 lit

[mercoid]

I’ve been watching a few of your videos for the past couple weeks. Great work! Subscribed.

[krispyai]

I’m like an e-type, I also have a monocock body.

[dima.english]

Thank you very much, Sir, for your amazing and educational videos! You manage to fit such a large amount of material into 15-30 minuts of your captivating videos!

[stevewilliams]

Nice video but several minor factual errors. The C type did not use the XK 120 chassis, but rather had a very purpose built one. Some of the suspension was XK based, but that's all. The 3 liter engine used in the E2A did not come from the XK150 which used a 3.4 or 3.8L iron block.The 3 liter was a shorter deck special aluminum block version of the XK engine. The headlight covers on the E type are glass, not plastic. The +2 E type's wheelbase is 9" longer than the 2 seater, not 3" as stated.

[nomebear]

Growing up in the 60's in a small town in south Texas there were three XKE that were locally owned; a yellow and a blue metallic convertible, and a white coupe'. The eye candy was intoxicating. The competition for crowd attention in that class included a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk. I, and a turquoise Avanti, but the Jags stole the show.