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JAGUAR E TYPE
by Matt Nichols
The Jaguar E-Type defines the very essence of what a ‘Classic Car’ is and sets the benchmark by which others are judged. Described at launch by Enzo Ferrari as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’ there cannot be anyone who doesn’t want to either get behind the wheel or occupy the passenger seat and tour around anywhere and everywhere whether across the continent, through the Cotswolds or over the Yorkshire moors.
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| E Type coupe is admired | E type roadster lines up with our classic Jags |
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| Road tester Matt at the wheel | Curvaceous convertible |
The good news is that Great Escape Classic Car Hire has a number of these magnificent cars available to rent out and I was lucky enough to sample two during the Great Escape – Cotswold Rally. The first was a totally original V12 Series 3 Roadster brought down from Yorkshire for the event and looking absolutely stunning in white. The second a contrasting same series Midnight Blue Coupe fitted with Webasto sunroof, later fuel injected XJS V12 engine and sports exhaust. Having driven both I can confirm they could not be more different, the roadster ideal for those after a pure E-Type or roof down experience with the coupe suiting anyone who craves a sportier and more aural V12 alternative.
Walk around the convertible and from whatever angle you view this extremely well presented E-Type your eyes are automatically drawn to the long narrow bonnet that dominates the overall shape of the car. In fact one of my slight concerns before driving it was whether I would end up poking its Romanesque nose out too far at a junction only for it to be chopped off. Happily though after squeezing yourself in over the wide sill, gripping the slender steering wheel and settling into the classy cockpit the front of the car seems to shrink back towards you. Turn the key and stir the V12 into life and immediately the years roll back because amazingly on the move this roadster drives just like a modern, quite uncanny.
On open roads it reveals decent performance, effective brakes, well weighted controls with hardly any rattles or shakes, testament to both the original design and upkeep of this particular car. Normally classics have quirks and traits, strengths and weaknesses, even ringing alarm bells at times, but not this one. In fact the only two things showing up the car’s age were the heater which with the roof down on a chilly morning couldn’t quite cut it, and the roof itself which leaves a few gaps once up. What this car does have is a surprising depth to its capabilities combining a useful turn of speed and an ability to hold a line impeccably through the twisty bits with minimal body roll revealing a lovely front to rear balance. I would summarise the roadster as a stunning car, best enjoyed with the roof down that grows on you the more new situations you find yourself in.
Contrast that with the pretty roadster’s more brutish brother, a car you’ll most likely hear before you see and it’s like a re-enactment of Beauty and the Beast. Yes it’s still an E-Type and the interior and controls are very much the same, as is the long stretch to get in, but here the similarities end. Visually the most obvious difference is the roof which can be as open or closed as you like courtesy of Webasto.
Once on board and with the engine running you start to realise what a race prepared E-Type might be all about. The later fuel injected V12 and quad tail pipe exhaust combine to produce a far more menacing aural experience whether sat inside or just passing by at the time.On the move you also begin to wonder whether there is either another 100BHP on tap or 200kg less mass than the roadster, such is the difference in performance. This car is both very fast and very capable with the all-round discs well up to the job allowing you to maintain a decent pace without fear of having to press the brake pedal too early or too hard.
There were, at the time of driving, a couple of minor classic car traits, namely 2nd to 3rd gear shifts which cannot be rushed as the entrance to the latter is sometimes tricky to locate and exhaust fumes which can be sucked into the cabin depending on particular combinations of how far the side windows and Webasto sun roof are open. Neither of these two things detract from the overall experience, just something to be mindful of.
Both E-Types left life-long impressions on me and my other half, who isn’t a car fan by any standards, providing the ultimate classic car driving experience from the classy and cosy cockpit, ease of use and depth of character. Given the choice I’d go for the coupe every time, but equally I can see how your decision might fall either way.
Verdict - 1971 Series 3 E-Type Jaguar (Coupe and Roadster)
Driving
Both cars are surprisingly easy to drive by modern standards with no need to make any significant adjustments.
Engine
Original V12 is a delight in the roadster providing a huge range of capability, whilst later fuel injected XJS unit fitted to the Coupe is a monster delivering both a rousing soundtrack and punchy performance.
Performance
Max Power 285 bhp
Max Speed: 150 mph
Brakes
Brakes are an equal match to the performance of both cars
Handling
Coupe and Roadster handle very sweetly with a lovely front to rear balance and hardly any body roll, serving as a fitting testament to their race car chassis origins.
Desirability
No other car does it better, the E-Type is king of the classics
Pro’s
Roadster - Perfect companion for a tour around the countryside.
Coupe – With chillie sauce added for extra bite
Con’s
Renting - None.
Buying – Regular maintenance required with simple tasks quite often leading onto much bigger things.
Overall
5/5
