Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
E-Type Jaguar (XKE)
Does anyone have any tales to tell, past or present, about the E-Type 'Jag'.
My recollections range from 1961 (as a schoolboy) when it first appeared, to the present day. It was a head turner then, and appears to be just as much of one now.
Here's a few that spring readily to mind.
Gazing in awe at the two brand new S1 Coupes given by the local butcher to his sons. One red, the other yellow, I used to walk past them every day on the way to school. One can be very focused at that age, and I think I could have described the cars in better detail at the time than their owners ever could!
Wandering into a repair garage and seeing a 'mechanic' chopping open the transmission tunnel with a hammer and chisel. This was in order to be able to change the clutch more easily!
Sitting in traffic and watching everything shimmer in the distortion of the heat haze rising from the louvres in the hood.
Seeing the notorious Fiona Richmond (older British readers will understand) getting into her E-Type outside 'Raymond's Revue Bar' in Soho, London. Paul Raymond had given her a personal registration for it as a birthday present; it read 'FU 2'.
I'm probably unusual in preferring the SIII V12 Coupe, and I'm at the point of wondering whether to take the plunge and hunt for one in good condition. However, I'd like to have some input on the practicalities of owning such a vehicle today. I suppose that the availability of spare parts is the most pressing concern. On the other hand, would the dream be more satisfying than the reality?
Mr Shiftright......... anyone?
My recollections range from 1961 (as a schoolboy) when it first appeared, to the present day. It was a head turner then, and appears to be just as much of one now.
Here's a few that spring readily to mind.
Gazing in awe at the two brand new S1 Coupes given by the local butcher to his sons. One red, the other yellow, I used to walk past them every day on the way to school. One can be very focused at that age, and I think I could have described the cars in better detail at the time than their owners ever could!
Wandering into a repair garage and seeing a 'mechanic' chopping open the transmission tunnel with a hammer and chisel. This was in order to be able to change the clutch more easily!
Sitting in traffic and watching everything shimmer in the distortion of the heat haze rising from the louvres in the hood.
Seeing the notorious Fiona Richmond (older British readers will understand) getting into her E-Type outside 'Raymond's Revue Bar' in Soho, London. Paul Raymond had given her a personal registration for it as a birthday present; it read 'FU 2'.
I'm probably unusual in preferring the SIII V12 Coupe, and I'm at the point of wondering whether to take the plunge and hunt for one in good condition. However, I'd like to have some input on the practicalities of owning such a vehicle today. I suppose that the availability of spare parts is the most pressing concern. On the other hand, would the dream be more satisfying than the reality?
Mr Shiftright......... anyone?
Tagged:
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
He maintained his constantly and was capable of doing anything except rebuilding the engine. It was about the nicest car I've ever driven but it was claustrophobic compared to modern cars. You could see little out the back and your front view was restricted by that looong hood.
I rember it as being at once a lot better-riding than my TR-4A(live axle) and yet it had outstanding handling, steering and brakes.
I didn't work the motor much, honestly I was afraid I'd get into trouble with all the power on tap.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Yes, it's true that we who are car nuts will get excited over new models today, but it's pretty rare for people who generally could care less about cars to flip over an automobile. Maybe the last car to do that in modern times was the Audi TT. But even that "buzz" was nothing in comparison to the E.
Not only was it radically beautifully to just about everyone, but it was a bargain for the price. Maybe not quite as fast as a Corvette 0-60, but once you let it out over 100 it had much better handling and brakes than a 'Vette.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York immediately put one on display and it may still be there for all I know.
My favorite is the early 4.2. The early coupe is okay but I personally think the 2+2 coupe is not an attractive car. Most buyers agree with me and these cars often go begging at low prices. Couple a 2+2 with an automatic transmission (why would anyone do that ?) and the car is practically sale proof over $8,000.
The V12s are nice but no longer sportscars. They are heavier, not as attractive (due to US bumper regulations) and pretty difficult to throw around gracefully. So the last E-Type were more GT cars than sports cars (as Jaguars are today GT cars).
I've had 120s, 140s and a 150 but never quite made it to an E-Type. Now with the base price for a decent one starting at $20,000 and the nice ones going at $35K and up, it looks like it may be out of reach for me as a hobby car.
And believe me, it's not a car you want to buy rough and "fix up" as you go! They are difficult restorations, especially the body work.
Still, I couldn't resist. I stooped down a little and looked under the car. There was a stain on the floor from leaked engine oil.
I know that the earlier convertible models are considered more desirable, but it's just a quirk in my nature that I find myself drawn to the last of the V12 coupes. I've always thought of them as a long legged, long distance tourer, and with that mindset I could even be comfortable with the autobox. From what you say, that should work to my advantage in terms of pricing at least.
Do you, or anyone else, have any information on the availability of spares and general maintainance parts? I know that virtually everything is available for the MGB, for instance, but I rather doubt that things are the same for the E-Type.
The E-Type is, of course, a monocoque, so any rust in a structural area is deadly. Also, fitting that huge bonnet after a collision is really hell. Easy way to spot an E that's been "kissed". A clutch job requires the engine AND trans to be pulled (groan!) and to replace the rear brake rotors you need to drop the entire rear axle assembly I believe (it's been a while).
Some folks forget how great the Jag 6 engine really is. It was in production longer than just about any engine I can think of...lemme see...well over 40 years, which beats the Chevy "stovebolt" 6 and the other contender, the Alfa dohc, which I think stops at around 39 years, maybe 40.
There's unconfirmed rumors about the later Jag XK engines having bad machining on the main bearings from the factory, because the guy who made them for 40 years retired, and his replacement didn't have the experience on Jag's old, worn machine tools to make the engines right. I kinda doubt that, though, because only one guy making all those engines for 40 years straight seems a little unlikely to me.
Every now and then you see a Jaguar with a Chevy V-8 stuffed in it, and while I don't care what people do to XJ6 sedans, I would personally consider it a complete ruination of an XKE.
It's funny. Jaguar engines are about the best part of the car, and people throw them out and think they have a better car.
As with most British cars, some extra attention to good electrical connections, and some radiator work, and you can vastly improve reliability without discarding the very heart of a jaguar--its engine!
I have a very rare step by step rebuilding manual for the E-Type engines, so one of these days...
Came out in 1948, the last one was put in a Daimler DS420 Limo in 1992 or so.
Bill
Although regular mass-production of the engine ceased in early 1987 whenthe last 6-cyl Series 3s were made. Still, even that was 39 years.
Well... hasnt the BMW "Small-Six" basically been around a looong time? Still, not even close...
Or what about the old Blue Flame 6 by Chevy? How long did they make that for?
Bill
Ya know... Its weird how that I, Mr Jaguar freak, Mr "I can even give you 12 digits of the vin off the top of my head of any jag made since 91 or so"
That I didnt realize that the XK broke some kinda record...
Bill
I got it from uncle John who apparently was a clutch cowboy because I had to replace the clutch to the tune of $3K, and yes, they have to pull the engine/trans to do it.
Parts are not hard to find - Terry's Jaguar is my source, but they can be a bit pricy.
I love the 4.2 six. I have looked at the V-12s and they are a mess with all that pipe and wiring all over the top of the engine. I also have a 69 Cadillac. When you compare the two engine compartments, the Jag's is elegant next to the Caddy.
I have a minor rust problem about the Battery area which I plan to work on this spring. Most of my problems have been with that Damned Lucas electrics which often fail without warning.
But all in all, the Jag is the most beautiful car I have ever owned and I consider myself very fortunate to have it. When I got the Cadillac, my wife asked if I am going to sell the Jaguar!!! Silly Woman.
Impe
I am now thinking about installing an oil filter adaptor so that I can use a spin-on filter. The standard element is a pain to replace and the gasket is so thin and narrow that I always worry that I have not gotten the gasket on perfectly and the oil is going to dump all over the garage floor.
Has anyone out there installed an adaptor that allows use of a spin-on filter?
My E-Type sits next to my 69 DeVille convertible, and it is fun to see the reactions of people who see them side by side. Although the Cadillac is very attractive and is usually looked at first, most people seem to gravitate to, and spend more time around the Jaguar.
Allen Impellitteri