IS THE JAGUAR E-TYPE THE RIGHT CLASSIC FOR YOU?
Buying a classic Jaguar is a dream for many of us car enthusiasts. It is an exciting prospect full of opportunity and often can be an emotional purchase, full of nostalgia. But, when it comes to seriously considering purchasing a classic Jaguar, it is imperative that you conduct the right research before you proceed with making a final decision.
Today’s market isn’t short of classic Jaguar cars for sale, but of course, there are the fan favourites, the likes of the record-breaking Jaguar XK120, the road and racing Jaguar MK1 and probably most notable – the Jaguar E-Type.
With such a variety of classic Jaguars to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right one for you. As specialists in classic Jaguars, we’ve written a helpful guide to the unique selling points of the market favourites. If you would like to get in touch with us, please reach out to our team via the details at the bottom of this article.
Buying a Jaguar E-Type
When many car enthusiasts think about buying a classic Jaguar, the E-Type is undoubtedly one of the first to be considered. This is an iconic British sports car that has something to offer everyone. It is an incredibly stylish vehicle, boasting a unique aesthetic and aerodynamics. It has a sleek and lightweight design, and today has undeniably stood the test of time. It remains one of the most adored and sought-after classic sports cars on the market, with a unique, vintage appearance that is instantly recognisable.
With three series of the E-Type and each series offering a degree of variation, this particular classic offers a great diversity in available E-Types on the market. It’s important to understand your plans for use when considering your E-type purchase as this will steer which E-type is best suited for your needs. Are you looking for a show car, a true drivers rally candidate or simply a weekend cruiser?
The earlier examples, the Series 1 and Series 2 E-Types, are generally faster than the 1970’s Series 3, reaching a top speed of around 150 MPH, which at the time of the Series 1 launch, was known as the fast production car built. However, the Series 3 with its lower rear axle gearing, beats its predecessors in acceleration – reported to hit 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, approximately a second faster than the earlier Series examples.
The earliest 3.8 examples were fitted with a four-speed Moss box, a classic engineered transmission that required a gentler touch with no synchromesh in 1st gear, compared to the later series all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox. For some, the Moss box is what the Jaguar E-type was about as it requires skill and confidence to drive smoothly, for others the more ‘modern’ all-synchro four-speed was less demanding and allowed you to enjoy the car without the worry of crunching gears.
It's aerodynamic design wasn’t the only innovative factor that built the popularity of the E-type, fitted with full independent suspension all around, rack and pinion steering, disc brakes on each corner and inboard rear brakes for added stability and minimising the driver impact of road lumps and bumps.
Having taken inspiration from the hugely successful XK engines of the Jaguar XK120, XK140 & XK150, the XK engine fitted to the E-types are solid and reliable units, especially when correctly cared for and serviced. With the straight six engines providing a refined driving experience and the V12’s offering both an ultra-easy cruise or, once transformed, turned into a powerful neck-straining speed machine, the diversity of the E-type is unrivalled.
In summary, the Jaguar E-type is a great introductory car for people who haven’t really experienced classic car ownership before. It’s an easy car to maintain and very enjoyable to drive.
Head to our showroom to see the range of Jaguar E-types we have available or CLICK HERE.
What other classic Jaguars are worth considering?
The Jaguar brand is an ongoing success story, one of exceptional heritage on both road and track, with notable wins at Le Man, international rally success, record-breaking speeds and continuously popular among A-list celebrities. Therefore, there isn’t a shortage of worthwhile classic Jaguars to choose from. If the Jaguar E-type isn’t for you then we’ve summarised other classic Jaguars worth your consideration.
1948 - 1954 - Jaguar XK120
Jaguar’s first post-war sports car, an instant hit, selling over 12,000 cars, its popularity was a result of Jaguar’s sales philosophy for top-class products at low prices, in short, more horses for your money.
The introduction of the XK120’s six-cylinder 3.4-litre engine was the world’s first large-quantity twin-cam, wrapped up in a beautiful body styling, this 1950’s classic Jaguar offers exciting performance that set new standards in its era, with global recognition. In the lead-up to 1960, Jaguar developed the XK120 further, releasing the XK140 and XK150 in a number of engine and body variations.
1956 – 1959 – Jaguar Mk1
Not just the latest example out of the Browns Lanes factory, the Jaguar Mk1 represented a huge design change for the car manufacturer, stepping away from tradition and into the growing sports saloon market. Offered as 2.4 or the more desirable 3.5 litre 6-cylinder engine, the Jaguar Mk1 achieved its goal, trumping its competitors by building a fast but unexpectedly quiet sports saloon. But following some tradition, the Jaguar Mk1 was offered in standard trim or SE (special equipment).
Presenting the market with new levels of performance the Mk1 sports saloon is fitted with independent front suspension, a live rear axle influenced by the racing legend D-type, and with the 3.4-litre engine putting out 210 bhp, top speed of 120 mph, the Mk1 combined a refined ride quality with fabulous sprint performance.
Like most classic Jaguar breeds, the Mk1 also shone brightly on the track, successfully campaigning in many rallies and races, with notable drivers recorded behind the wheel being Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn and Jack Sears. Today you’ll see Jaguar Mk1 examples regularly competing in countless historic race events such as Goodwood Revival, Silverstone Classic, Le Mans Classic and the Masters series.
Visit our showroom to see our racing Jaguar Mk1, a Goodwood competitor and ready for the 2023 season - CLICK HERE
Searching for Classic Jaguars for Sale in the UK?
If you are interested in purchasing a classic Jaguar, then DM Historics is one of the best destinations for your requirements. We specialise in the sale of classic Jaguar models. Offering a range of classic Jaguar cars for sale to suit all needs, so whatever you are looking for, we can find the perfect vehicle for you.
Visit our online showroom here, or should you wish to discuss your requirements in more detail, then please feel free to contact us today on + 44 (0) 1732 440 494 or email sales@dmhistorics.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.