E-Type
 

My Porsche is staying, but I've been toying with the idea of adding a Jag E-type. Always loved the looks, and an open car would be great for weekends.

I've never even driven one, and of course have heard all the stories about electronic woes leading to engine swaps, etc.

Anybody have personal experience? If I do this, I'm leaning toward an early car, but they are getting spendy, so all options open

Real world performance of early vs later cars?

They are not bad, as long as you are good about keeping an eye on everything. Just sold this one for my dad. At his older age he was having too much trouble getting in and out. But he is loving the 911 I gave him to drive instead.
http://www.freewebs.com/1970jaguarxke/

I'd take it over a new Boxster............I'm such a fool though.:D

Wow! There's a reason that those cars are almost always at the top of the "most beautiful car ever" lists.

I have a fair amount of experience with 60"s Jags. I have owned a Mk2 now for about 14 years......

Electrics - dont believe all you read, sure they can have problems, but I never have!!! Maybe I'm the only one!

But with a car of this age, its not a bad idea to replace the wiring harness anyway and while you're doing this, you might aswell check that all the electrical systems are working correctly.

Not sure about the comment you make about the engine. Did someone say the electrics can cause engine damage? Not something I've heard about. The "xk" engine is one of the worlds greatest engines - a real classic. It's probably the English equivilent of the small block Chevy. They are fairly built proof, and the torque and smothness of the straight six is sublime.

For a US market car I believe the best year is 65-67. These years have the all syncro gearbox, triple carbs and covered headlights. I think it was from 68 that they changed to sealed beams and 2 carbs.

This was a time when Jaguar really did produce some beautiful performance cars, before all the problems in the 70's that damaged their reputation.

When I was searching for a weekend toy it was a choice between one of these or the 911. Much as I love the look of the E-Type I like the 911 more and it is definitely more of an 'engineers' car.
Good luck though and don't forget the photos!

Do not get a V-12

That Jag straight six is one of the best motors ever, there is a reason they made so many of them

Matt and Tobra are spot on. I have owned two "E-Types" and loved and hated them. Own 3 Jags now but all are sedans.

The early 3.8 liter models are rocket ships and loads of fun to drive. Also they are tempermental.

The later 4.2 models have loads of torque and will run forever. The engine in my 1969 XJ is an E-type engine modded to fit the XJ. It has over 600,000 miles after a couple of overhauls.

Put a larger than normal radiator (one extra row of fins does the trick) and it will last forever. Find someone who knows SU carbs and they are fine. I personally do not like the later models that have the open headlights and "safety switches" on the dash. 65-67 models are the nicest IMHO.

www.jag-lovers.org is a very good source of information and a very good users forum.

The E-type forum is here: http://forums.jag-lovers.org/index.php3?zx=SdAHzxPwzKPOC706QMnO%2F0j8FjOT2g9C%2 FP8x0dkDD846B5uW%2BAnPC%2F7WnswK0BJIn5%2FHBMoR%2F9 6cyQLHCQCYx7gN

Thanks for the info, guys.

MattKellett, RE the engine I remember stories back in the 70s where people swapped out the engine for a Ford, being that they were fed up with electrical issues. Saw something like this for sale, recently.

vonsmog, that is a nice car! Like the chrome bumpers

This will be a slow hunt, but if I end up pulling the trigger, I'll be sure to post pics.

www.jag-lovers.org looks helpful

The cars where the stock Jag engine has been swapped out are called a "lump" and are also on the Jag-Lovers forum.

Personally there is nothing wrong with the Jag engine and I will not ever have a lump. I have owned one in the past and it just did not have the personality that I wanted.

Now, there is one modification to the Jag that I will readily endorse and that is swapping the damm Lucas Alternator out with an American version. I used a Chrysler version but others use a GM version. Either will work and work 100 times better than the Lucas alternator. It ended loads of electrical issues.

If you get ready to pull the trigger, pls get back with us and we can give some more assistance. These are really special cars and like a 911 you want to find one that is in good shape.

Joe

Jag bargains right now are the XJS cars. Saw a beauty the other day sell for $4,350.00. 65K miles. Up to date service and all books and records from the only owner.

Enjoy the search - isnt this half the fun anyway? :D

I think the reason that you see engine swaps in the States is due to the fact that lets say, you have an engine failure or a high mileage engine in need of a rebuild, it's much cheaper in the US to swap in a small block for example. Now back in the UK it just doesnt happen, obvioulsy due to the lack of a small V8. You have t remember that in the UK the jag engine is a large capacity engine, and there is no cheaper alternative that gives the same power. I am also certain that these replacement engines were only installed when the cars had little value. Now with number 1 e types selling for $100k + there is no reason to install a Chevy small block!

Looks like Joe has alot of experience with the E-Type and is right about the better years. The 3.8 was a free reving engine, the purists choice, but also the most uncomfortable and no synco on 1st. The 4.2 cars have more torque, much better seats, all syncro box and as Joe mentions, they still have the lovely toggle switches!

I personally dont care for the uncovered headlights on the later models, and I think the V12, although another superb engine, just dissapoints with the heavy styling.

yeah baby

rewire it if you don't like that lucas crap
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215058755.jpg

the fuel pumps sort of suck too

Oh yeah!!!

meh, not so much, makes an incredible sound, different personality, more gt than sports car
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215059196.jpg

You picked a later year, defiled iteration, to pick on. More GT than sports car? Have you driven one (not the nose heavy V12)? You familiar with the C's and D's in the bloodline?

Tobra,

They now have new electronic SU fuel pumps. Make the same old clicking noise but no points in them, so they are reliable as the day is long. Look just the same as well!

Not rock solid, daily driver dependable, like a Ferrari, eh?

I have driven a '72 V-12 and a '67, both 4 speeds. Steering was sort of overboosted on the later car, seemed like the thing was a lot heavier, though I don't think that they are that different. That V-12 is plenty fast though.

My father drove a '68 XKE as a DD for 5 years, it was dead solid reliable, replaced the fuel pump when it started making noise, not when it stopped making noise. When I think about it, the V-12 never started giving him trouble until he started parking it to drive something with AC that worked

Toggle vs rocker switches did not make much difference to me

I have seen C and D types, never even sat in one

Briefly dated a girl at Kent State years ago (before the massacre that Sammy laments not being able to reenact to deal with today's protesters) who's doctor daddy bought her one of these to toodle around campus in (Steve MxQueen nad a more civilized version with full windscreen, top and wind wings) - WHOA! Hot hot car! The doctor's daughter, not so much, it turned out.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215062111.jpg