TESTING JAGUAR ’ S E-TYPE 60 YEARS APART by Nik Ellis
Sixty odd years ago my father was an engineer for Jaguar at their factory in Coventry , with a large part of his roll involving testing and test driving E-Types , including some time spent in Jaguar ’ s Experimental Department . It seems somewhat fitting that as we celebrate 60 years of this iconic vehicle , to road test an early example to see how it shapes up in today ’ s world .
Enzo Ferrari described the E-Type as “ the most beautiful car in the world ” and indeed it caused a huge sensation when it was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961 . Little did the gasping journalists realise , but that first E-Type had arrived just 20 minutes earlier , having been driven directly from the Coventry factory flat out by Bob Berry . It made such an impact that they sent a second , driven throughout the night , to satisfy the interest .
Based on their highly successful racing car , the D-type , the first E-Type Series 1 was launched with a six cylinder 3.8 litre engine , fuelled by triple carbs . Weighing in around 1,300 kg meant it was pretty quick , placing it in direct competition with Ferrari , Lamborghini & Porsche . The later Series 1 models were fitted with 4.2 litre engines , which increased torque more than acceleration , however Autocar tested it & recorded a 0-60mph acceleration time of 7.6 seconds & described it as “ the fastest [ car ] we have ever tested ”.
My father recalls spending an entire morning being driven round MIRA ’ s high speed oval by Jaguar ’ s chief test driver , Norman Dewis . Sounds great but he was given the illustrious task of taking temperature readings , so had to climb from the passenger seat to the very back , as the car lapped at 120mph . He proudly recalls how he was the only tester doing this who managed not to throw up !
In those days it was important to ‘ run-in ’ a car . My father was tasked with putting on a few thousand miles on a press car , so spent a week travelling from Coventry up to his mum ’ s in Liverpool . He would drop his laundry & head back to Coventry for lunch , then back up to Liverpool in the afternoon & back to Coventry with a boot full of clean washing .
With relatively limited numbers built , the values of these vehicles , whilst a little up & down over recent years , have climbed solidly overall , although this was not always the case . My father recalls one of the last ones sitting for months in W Watson ’ s Jaguar dealership eventually being given away at cost , around £ 2,000 . A good example can now be worth hundred times that .
I heard plenty of stories as I was growing up about E-Types & even vaguely remember riding in my father ’ s , so when the opportunity arose to drive one , I jumped at it . The model I drove was a later Series 1 with the 4.2 six cylinder block . First impressions are everything . The car is a piece of art . Admiring the dimensions of the bodywork & the almost effortless flow of its lines , it ’ s easy to see how it still regularly appears in the most beautiful car in the world lists . It turned a lot of heads as I drove around .
The bonnet is enormous , nearly half the car ’ s length and it doesn ’ t shrink from the driver ’ s seat . Both front & rear lines flow into the profile of the car & it ’ s difficult to find an angle where it doesn ’ t look like something organic .
Climbing inside wasn ’ t exactly easy ( or elegant ) but once inside it feels (& smells ) luxurious from the seats & trim to the dashboard & instruments . Some classic cars can feel a little basic , but there ’ s a decent amount of equipment & comfort in this cabin .
Firing up the engine felt smooth & with a good exhaust note . Having changed gears with column paddles for the last few years , I drew on my memories of how a clutch operated , and off we went . Several things went through my head for the first few miles . Firstly I was quite surprised how well the engine picked up ; this is no slouch even by today ’ s standards & I would have little issue driving this in everyday traffic .
The steering wheel is enormous yet very thin and made of wood . It ’ s connection to the front wheels seems miles away . It feels slightly like the front has started turning before the rest of the car . That took a bit of getting used to . Went to check my mirrors , but wait , they don ’ t have them on either door . Apparently this was a thing in the Sixties . I ’ d have sacrificed one of the three wipers to have a door mirror .
The torque is great even at lower revs which gives it plenty of power almost irrespective of speed / gear choice . It felt stable , even at speed & the more I drove it & the more familiar I became with the fairly predictable handling & engine pull . The brakes are tough to push & I could imagine a sore quad after a week in it , but they do work if you push them hard enough .
Overall I ’ d have to say that I was much more impressed than I expected . They say don ’ t drive your heroes , yet here is a car that ’ s stood the test of time ; it appears stunning from every angle & looks like it ’ s built to go fast . It drives well , with a good turn of speed & could hold its own against some modern hot hatches . An expensive weekend car , but something very rare , incredibly beautiful and an appreciating asset to have in the garage .
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