1966 Jaguar E-Type 'Series 1' 4½-Litre Coupé to 'Fast Road' specification

Footnotes

Conceived and developed as an open sports car, the Jaguar E-Type debuted at the Geneva Salon in March 1961 in Coupé form. The car caused a sensation - spontaneous applause breaking out at the unveiling - with its instantly classic lines and a 150mph top speed. The design benefited from Jaguar's considerable competition successes and owed much to that of the D-Type sports-racer, a monocoque tub forming the main structure while a tubular spaceframe extended forwards to support the engine. The latter was the 3.8-litre, triple-carburettor, 'S' unit first offered as an option on the preceding XK150. Aerodynamically, the Coupé was superior to the Roadster and the better Grand Tourer, enjoying as it did a marginally higher top speed and the considerable convenience of a generously sized luggage platform accessed via the side-hinged rear door.

Its engine aside, only in terms of its transmission did the E-Type represent no significant advance over the XK150, whose durable four-speed Moss gearbox it retained. The latter was replaced when the 4.2-litre engine was introduced on the Series 1 in October 1964, a more user-friendly all-synchromesh gearbox and superior Lockheed brake servo forming part of the improved specification together with the bigger, torquier engine. Apart from '4.2' badging, the car's external appearance was unchanged but under the skin there were numerous detail improvements, chiefly to the electrical and cooling systems, and to the seating arrangements. Top speed remained unchanged at around 150mph, the main performance gain resulting from the larger engine being improved flexibility. Today, the E-Type's graceful lines live on in modern Jaguar sports cars, and there can be little doubt that William Lyons' sublime creation would feature in any knowledgeable enthusiast's 'Top Ten' of the world's most beautiful cars of all time.

Over 40 years have passed since the last E-Type rolled off the Browns Lane production line, yet the ongoing demand for up-rated and improved versions is sufficient to support a sizeable cottage industry of specialists. The 1966 Coupé offered here is one such, having been upgraded for fast road use rather than out-and-out competition. RS Panels has been responsible for refurbishing the body, which has received with new floors, inner and outer sills (with additional stiffening), back panel, and bonnet. The doors have been re-skinned, the wheelarches flared to accommodate wider wheels, and additional axle cage mounts added to the tub. The body has been refinished in Opalescent Blue and the interior trimmed in red leather.

Increased in swept volume from 4,235 to 4,490cc and said to produce 320bhp, the engine incorporates a Tuftrided crankshaft, balanced con-rods, a big-valve cylinder head, and genuine D-Type camshafts. Other noteworthy upgrades included a four-core alloy radiator; alloy header and expansion tanks; Kenlowe electric cooling fan; 13-row oil cooler; competition ignition distributor; modified sump baffles and engine mounts, and a large-bore competition full exhaust system. The fuel and oil lines are Aeroquip throughout, and all wiring loom connections are soldered.

Power is transmitted via an AP competition clutch and Getrag five-speed gearbox to a limited-slip differential with up-rated power lock and competition cradle mountings. The braking system has been suitably up-rated, featuring a modified servo; vented discs and four-pot callipers at the front; and thicker-than-standard discs at the rear gripped by Series 2 callipers.

Upgrades to the front suspension include genuine Lightweight E-Type torsion bars, Koni dampers, XJ-S front uprights, thicker stub axles, anti-dive geometry, and a thicker anti-roll bar, while the rear incorporates 325lb springs, adjustable Koni dampers, and an anti-roll bar. The magnesium wheels are of the peg-drive type (6.75" front, 7.5" rear) and are shod with Pirelli P6000 tyres.

'DSX 2D' had covered some 21,000 miles following the restoration and upgrade programme when it was purchased at a UK auction by the current vendor in 2011. Since then the car has been fitted with a trip meter and used occasionally for historic rallying, but otherwise has seen very little use. Capable of surprising many modern-day Porsches and Ferraris, and ideal for JDC track events, this extensively upgraded E-Type is offered with sundry invoices, current MoT, and a V5C document.