Driven (But Mainly Drooled On): Jaguar E-type
PH takes a spin in a '60s icon and soaks up 75 years of Jaguar heritage
77 RW will grace the PH stand at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Oddly though, I'm sort of happy to report that having struggled to thread my long and lardy frame into the E-type's cockpit yesterday, I no longer have to worry about never being able to afford one. (Although the later V12 cars are said to be roomier, and anyway, if I could I'd probably buy an E-type just to leer at it!)
Once the seat squab was removed I did manage to cram myself into the cockpit for a few blissful miles around the lanes near Goodwood House in 77 RW, the earliest surviving open E-type. The car is in West Sussex because Jaguar is generously loaning it to PistonHeads to decorate our very own show stand at the Festival of Speed, where hopefully you'll come and visit us and be able to drool over it too.
77 RW is chassis number three, and was one of two press demonstrators at the Geneva motor show in March 1961, where the E-type was launched to an awestruck public. Offering a top speed of almost 150mph from its 3.8-litre XK engine, at a (relatively!) affordable price of £2,000, it became an instant success for Jaguar and an icon of the 1960s.
In spite of its age (and an old-fashioned Moss gearbox that requires a sympathetic touch), the E-type still feels good on the road. Most notable during my potter round the lanes was the supple ride, which was comfortable even though with the seat out I was sitting on the metal floorpan. Oh, and the view over that elegant, voluptuous and utterly gorgeous bonnet.
Here at PH Towers it feels like we've been up to our ears in Jaguar heritage for the last few weeks. As well as being treated to an early drive in the 75th Anniversary XKR special edition, we were also invited to witness the company's starring role at this year's Le Mans 24hr preamble, where a selection of Coventry classics took part in the famous driver parade around the town before the race.
A cavalcade of Jaguar race and road cars took to the streets of Le Mans behind the racing drivers, and PH witnessed the amazingly warm welcome the locals afforded the cars from the luxurious back seat of a delightful Honey Beige Mk II saloon.
Never mind the World Cup (and the performance of the US-entered XKR in the race itself), it's this sort of stuff that makes us proud to be British isn't it? Especially as the marque's contemporary models are selling in numbers that suggest Jaguar's global appeal is as strong as ever. Here's to another 75 years - at least!
Jaguar Classics at the Le Mans Parade:
Nice and grunty if not truly fast, pulled from few revs in any of its four gears, gearbox was direct if agricultural in operation. the brakes were woeful and the steering gave you no clue what the front wheels were doing, I am not into car magazine cliches but "devoid of feel" summed it up. It had an epic thirst, I mean, to use another cliche "you could watch the needle go down" and generally it never ran 100 percent (migth just be that example I guess) but it always seemed to get hot and bothered in traffic.
Handling wise, once grabbed by the scruff and not treated with the kid gloves of someone driving their father in laws Jag it could be hustled quite nicely, thought it felt heavy and a bit ponderous, I suspect that the massive V12 in the front wont have helped, I did manage to get the back out but it wasnt a dignified little slide, it was a tank slapper in the making, otherwise it tended to want to plough straight on, its responses were not always consistent, seemed to be very sensitive to the surface and the ropey brakes didnt encourage you to gather much speed you migth want to get rid of quickly. It didnt have aircon, the heat soak from the engine tended to broil you on a hot day, cool, brisk days were best as it took the edge off the heat and it ran better.
So,
I loved the looks, who doesnt ? The noise was spectacular, the heat rising from the bonnet vents and the general view, the cabin was a nice place to be, sense of occasional was overwhelming and people love to see them, really positive reaction, for added "awww" stick your two year old son in his car seat in with you.
So, I wouldnt rule one out, but the realities can be a little dissapointing, especially if it isnt used much or fettled enough like I suspect the one I used to drive was.
I have never driven the six cylinder models but I suspect that would be more my thing, realistically probably not that much slower, lighter, less heat, prehaps with some modern brakes and upgraded suspension.
Also, I have a secret preference for the 2 plus 2 but don't tell anybody...
I am 6'2" have had no issues with fit at all. I'll never understand all the complaining. So you can't wear boots and heel toe, why would that be a suprise? I find the car quite comfortable even on long distance. Maybe a slightly smaller steering wheel for those with larger waist sizes, but it is adjustable!
The difference in performance is vast between cars, mostly based on engine compression even more then carb type. An 8 to 1 engine is a dog, a 9 to 1 engine is a joy! Drive it hard and it will greatly reward. It never broke, not once durring the daily commutes. Its only major service was when I bought it I installed a new clutch and rear brakes.
Nice and grunty if not truly fast, pulled from few revs in any of its four gears, gearbox was direct if agricultural in operation. the brakes were woeful and the steering gave you no clue what the front wheels were doing, I am not into car magazine cliches but "devoid of feel" summed it up. It had an epic thirst, I mean, to use another cliche "you could watch the needle go down" and generally it never ran 100 percent (migth just be that example I guess) but it always seemed to get hot and bothered in traffic.
I'd say your E's owner didnt install the exhaust correctly...
Sluggish? Check that engine number. the last number is the compression. xxxxx-9 is what you want to see.
healey 3k? dont be silly, you might as well say you like MGB's better.
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