1967 Jaguar XKE 4.2 Roadster
Jaguar’s revolutionary E-Type first appeared to a stunned public at the 1961 Geneva Auto Salon. Jaguar boss Sir William Lyons and his chief aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer paired up to design the new sports car, meant to replace the aging XK150. The new car employed a semi-monocoque tub that utilized ingenious bolt-on front subframes to support the engine and independent front suspension. The rear was handled by the now ubiquitous modular independent rear suspension, pioneered on the Mk10. The E-type boasted four-wheel disc brakes, torsion bar front suspension, and initially a 3.8-liter version of the XK’s twin-cam inline six. This high-tech chassis was wrapped in a gorgeous body that was quite unlike anything that had been seen before. Beautiful, curvaceous and with just the right amount of aggression, the E-Type was a smashing success from day one. Amazingly, co-designer Malcolm Sayer had no interest in making the car beautiful. He was more interested in aerodynamics and applied his theories toward a functional design. Ironically, the E-Type was not terribly aerodynamically efficient, but it was achingly beautiful. In 1965, Jaguar performed some updates to make the E-Type an even better performer than ever before. The engine was updated to 4.2 liters and 265 horsepower. The new engine was more powerful and gave a generous dollop of torque at the low end. To cope with the extra power, the early Moss gearbox was replaced with a fully synchronized 4-speeder that was monumentally easier to operate. Braking was also improved with the addition of a new servo to add extra shove to the 4-wheel discs. The resulting E-Type Series 1 4.2 could hang with a contemporary Ferrari or Aston Martin at a fraction of the price of more exotic machines. Long considered one of the most beautiful production cars of all time and with the performance to back it up, the E-Type is a perennial favorite among collectors and drivers alike.
My Car:
This stunning 1967 Jaguar E-Type roadster featured in its original color of Burgundy with the nearly perfect complement of tan leather interior and tan soft-top with matching boot. This desirable Series I.5 roadster has benefited from a sympathetic restoration based on a solid original car. The car is accompanied by a binder with before and after photos that illustrate the fine level of preparation and final presentation with photo documentation of its high-quality restoration. The binder includes ownership history from new, correspondence with prior owners, and a JDHT Heritage Certificate. The car has less than 58,000 actual miles from new, with only 400 miles being driven since its completion. The numbers all match and the components are all original. It is simply beautiful and is ready to be thoroughly enjoyed. This is the most desirable specification for an E-Type: the iconic covered headlamps, the deliciously torquey 4.2-liter engine, and the magnificent drop-top bodywork. Enzo Ferrari referred to as the sexiest car in the world. The panel fit is very good, the paint quality is gorgeous, and all chrome trim is beautifully restored and expertly fitted. The black interior has been restored using the correct materials throughout. Leather seats are just slightly broken in and delightfully inviting, with the rest of the cockpit rounded out by that iconic three-spoke steering wheel and a period-correct radio in the dash, which features full instrumentation and a bank of toggle switches. Performance is strong, with an addictive howl from the 4.2-liter twin cam. Strong four-wheel disc brakes bring the fun to a halt and the suspension has been perfectly set up by Imports Unlimited. This is a very fine restoration that would make a seriously good event car while at the same time be welcome at a British car show or concours event. The series 1 E-Type is the cornerstone of many car collections and is considered to be a must-have for any fan of classic sports cars.
My Jaguar is a magnificent example of one of the most sought-after versions of the E-Type with covered headlamps, synchromesh gearbox, triple-SU carb 4.2L DOHC motor, period AM/FM radio, wood-rim wheel and toggle switch dashboard. Of course, chromed knock-off wire wheels were part of the package and our car is fitted with tasteful wide whitewall tires that fit with the period presentation. The interior has an almost aircraft-type feel with Smith instrumentation, numerous dashboard toggle switches, a wood-rimmed steering wheel with a growler center cap and a period AM/FM radio. The engine bay and undercarriage were present in a manner consistent with the rest of the car. The underside and wheel wells are all painted, with no undercoating. This fine E-Type runs and drives well and offers the same thrill that XKEs were known for when new. It is an investment-grade example.