Identification
The E-Type variants
Every version of the car an owner is likely to meet, official and unofficial, each with its own specification, production figures and sources. Search matches titles, specifications and production runs.
7 variants listed
The three official series
Jaguar's own designations, in build order.
- Series 11961 to 1968The original car, in 3.8 and then 4.2 litre form, with covered headlights, triple SU carburettors and the small bonnet intake. The shape as it was shown at Geneva in March 1961.Open question recorded
- Series 21968 to 1971The first series Jaguar announced as a series. A larger front intake, open headlights set forward, wraparound rear bumper with the lights below it, and twin electric fans.Open question recorded
- Series 31971 to 1974The V12 E-Type. A 5.3 litre twelve cylinder engine, the long floorpan for both body styles, flared arches, a slatted grille and power steering as standard.Open question recorded
Interim and enthusiast terms
Labels the trade uses that the factory never did.
- Series 1.51967 to 1968The interim cars built for the 1968 model year, with open headlights on an otherwise Series 1 body. An enthusiast term in settled use, not a Jaguar designation.Open question recorded
- Series 2.5A term, not a periodA label with no factory basis and no agreed meaning, generally applied to late Series 2 cars carrying detail changes that anticipated the Series 3. Recorded here, not adopted.Open question recorded
Body styles
Variations of shell rather than of series.
Competition cars
Cars built to race rather than to sell.
Common questions
How many series of E-Type were there?
Three official series: Series 1 from 1961, Series 2 from 1968 and Series 3 from 1971. Series 1.5 and Series 2.5 are enthusiast terms, not factory designations. Jaguar's own records treat the 1968 model year interim cars as late Series 1 production.
Is Series 2.5 a real E-Type variant?
No. Unlike Series 1.5, which is in settled enthusiast use for the 1968 model year interim cars, Series 2.5 has no factory basis and no consistent meaning. Where it is used it usually describes late Series 2 cars, and the archive records the term without adopting it.
What body styles were offered?
The open two seater, often called the roadster, and the fixed head coupe were offered from 1961. The 2+2 fixed head coupe, on a longer wheelbase with a raised roofline and small rear seats, arrived in 1966. The Series 3 was built as a roadster and a 2+2 coupe only, both on the longer floorpan.
What was the Lightweight E-Type?
A small competition series built in 1963 and 1964 with an aluminium monocoque and hardtop, an aluminium block wide angle head engine and dry sump lubrication. Twelve were completed at the time, and Jaguar built a further six continuation cars in 2014 against unused chassis numbers from the original allocation.