Competition cars, 1963 to 1964, with 2014 continuations
The Lightweight E-Type
The competition car. An aluminium monocoque and hardtop, an aluminium block wide angle head engine and dry sump lubrication. Twelve were completed in period, and six continuation cars followed in 2014.
Specification
- Built
- 1963 and 1964
- Body
- Aluminium monocoque with fixed aluminium hardtop
- Engine
- 3.8 XK six with aluminium block and wide angle cylinder head
- Lubrication
- Dry sump
- Fuel system
- Fuel injection on several cars, carburettors on others
- Purpose
- Racing, sold to selected privateer entrants
- Continuations
- Six cars built by Jaguar in 2014 against unused chassis numbers from the original allocation
Production
| Completed in period | 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Continuation cars, 2014 | 6 | |
| Original allocation | 18 | Which is why the 2014 cars have period chassis numbers |
Twelve completed in period against an allocation of eighteen is the figure consistently reported, and Jaguar's own 2014 continuation programme was announced on that basis. Individual cars are documented individually, and history claims for any particular chassis need paperwork rather than reputation.
The Lightweight was Jaguar's attempt to keep the E-Type competitive against purpose built racing cars, using an aluminium shell and a substantially reworked engine. It is not a road car with the trim removed. It is a different piece of engineering wearing the same shape.
What made it light
- An aluminium monocoque in place of the steel shell, with an aluminium hardtop.
- An aluminium block version of the 3.8 XK engine with a wide angle head.
- Dry sump lubrication, allowing the engine to sit lower and survive sustained cornering loads.
- Extensive removal of road equipment, and lightweight fittings throughout.
The continuation cars
In 2014 Jaguar completed six cars to the original specification, using chassis numbers left unallocated from the 1963 series. They are new cars built to an old drawing, openly described as such by Jaguar. They are not replicas in the usual sense, and they are not period race cars either, and any description of a Lightweight should say plainly which it is.
Provenance
Because the numbers are small and the values are not, competition history is claimed more often than it can be shown. The archive takes no view on individual cars, and would say only that documented period history, chassis records and marque authority recognition are what matter, in that order.
Sources
- Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust research guide to E-Type chassis numbering and build dates.
- Jaguar's own announcements of the 2014 Lightweight continuation programme.
- Widely reported histories of the 1963 Lightweight programme, consistent across enthusiast sources on the number completed.
Last reviewed .