It's been a long time since I've talked about cars, especially cars from the Belle Époque in the 60's and 70's. I hope that the habit will slowly return. The resumption is going to be done with this superb 1964 Jaguar E-Type Semi Lightweight that was auctioned last August 14 through Bonhams (Quail Motorcar Auction) without finding a buyer despite a rather reasonable price around $US 200,000.

Beautiful car, your dream car ?

History of Jaguar E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type was produced between 1961 and 1975 in three series with technological improvements learned in racing from the D-Type. The Series was presented at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, huge success with a factory price of just $US 6,000. Enzo Ferrari was even rumoured to have told "the most beautiful car ever made" and still considered as the sexiest car of the 60's.

"The career of the E-Type Jaguar in competition was an honorable one - although designed purely for road use, it proved to be one of the few cars able to offer a credible challenge to the mighty GTO Ferrari." - Paul Skilleter in Jaguar - The Sporting Heritage (source : Bonhams).

On the racetracks, the E-Type was very competitive from the beginning with the victory of Graham Hill at Oulton Park in 1961 behind the wheel of the famous ECD 400 (more about it on Motorsportmagazine.com). In 1963, in order to compete against Ferrari in the Gran Turismo category, Jaguar developped a lightweight version.

This example was a E-Type Roadster build in 1964 but in 1998, the owner decide to replicate a Lightweight E-Type. A legendary Litghweight (only 12 were produced) worth more than $US 1,000,000, so it was a good way to have one at a fraction of the price of the original. The owner choose to replicate the livery of the 11 th Lightweight E-Type originally built, 2 GXO. For this fastidious work, Dunford Limited built the aluminium panels for the doors, hardtop... The final re-assembly was done by Lindley Motors with the new paint. More than $US 55,000 has been spent to complete this recreation.

Specification

This Jaguar E-Type Semi Lightweight is equipped with 4,235 cc DOHC Competition XJ6 engine (it's not the original motor) mated to 3 Weber carburetors producing 300 hp at 5,800 rpm.

The suspension and braking systems are also top quality with a full synchro 1965 gearbox unit and 4 wheel independent suspension and competitin disc brakes.

The interior is also beautiful as you can see... Simple but it must be a thrill to be behind this wheel. I love the attention to the details like these leather straps :

What do you think of this recreation ?
Great way to have the same performance of the legendary Lightweight E-Type for a fraction of the price... I think it's a good deal 😀

Sale

Sources

Bonhams Quail Motorcar Auction
Lot : Jaguar E-Type Semi Lightweight

Wikipedia :
Jaguar E-Type
Enzo Ferrari

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