When the Jaguar E-Type made its debut on March 15, 1961, it is rumoured that Enzo Ferrari referred to it as “the most beautiful car ever made”. This endorsement formed part of the decision of Dublin-born Stephen Manahan, now living in New York to acquire his own E-Type Jaguars.
Like so many other young Irish people in the 1980s, Stephen emigrated from Ireland to New York for work. Having spent over a decade living at the West 79th Street Boat Basin, domesticity came next with a house, children and importantly a garage.
Twenty-two years ago, Stephen made his first foray into E-Types and bought a Series 2 automatic which he owned for a few years and sold onwards. Stephen’s next E-Type is the 1973 V12 British Racing Green car we feature here. He has known this car for twenty-five years having bought it from his friend and ex-Jaguar Car Club President, Chris Acker. Stephen shared with us his E-Type arriving at his garage and his re-commissioning updates are to follow.
Between 1961 and 1974, Jaguar Cars Ltd produced the Jaguar E-Type, also known as the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market. The car boasted a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h), acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 7 seconds, disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, and independent front and rear suspension.
Based on Jaguar’s 24 Hours Le Mans race wining D-Type cars, the E-Type was unique in the 1960s weighing in at only 1315 kg (2900 lb) and featuring a front subframe carrying the engine and front suspension. The front bodywork was bolted directly to the body tub, eliminating the need for a ladder frame chassis.
Sources of information:
British Pathe
David Lacey
Jaguar E-Type – Jonathan Wood
Jaguar E-Type: The Definitive History – Philip Porter
Vauxford
This video post is copyrighted© to Ireland Made® not to be copied or reproduced without permission.
