1962 Jaguar XKE Series I 3.8 Coupe
Jaguar’s E-Type, known as the XKE in North America, made its world debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show and immediately captured global attention with its sleek, aerodynamic styling by Malcolm Sayer.
The design drew heavily from Jaguar’s Le Mans-winning D-Type, employing a monocoque central tub with a tubular front subframe to support the engine and front suspension. Advanced engineering features included fully independent front and rear suspension, inboard rear disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering—all highly sophisticated for the early 1960s.
Power came from a 3.8-liter DOHC inline-six derived from the XK series engine, fitted with three SU HD8 carburetors as used on the XK150S. It produced 265 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Power was delivered through a four-speed Moss manual gearbox lacking synchromesh on first gear.
Weighing approximately 2,721 pounds (1,234 kg), the Fixed Head Coupe could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 6.9 seconds and reach a claimed top speed of 150 mph. Early production cars built in 1961 and early 1962 featured distinctive “flat floor” interiors and external bonnet latches, both of which were later replaced by dished floors and internal latches to improve comfort and accessibility.
The coupe body featured a practical rear hatch hinged on the left side and rode on a 96-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 175 inches. When new, the E-Type was priced at approximately $5,599 (an extraordinary value for a car offering such performance and style).
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