| 1961 Jaguar E-type roadster |
VIN number: 875324
During the production of the Jaguar e-type, 500 cars were initially built and then production stopped. When production resumed many changes
had been made based on initial feedback from customers and to make assembly easier.
These "pre-production" cars are now very much in demand since they represent the e-type in its purest form ... the way the engineers
envisioned the car, defects and all. These cars are almost 50 years old and needless to say where not designed to last this long. Over the
years many were neglected and destroyed and many that survived did so with replacement parts from later cars. The more original parts a
surviving early e-type has, the more interesting it becomes. Below are a few of the most obvious differences between this car and the later
e-type
Click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge.
During the production of the Jaguar e-type, 500 cars were initially built and then production stopped. When production resumed many changes
had been made based on initial feedback from customers and to make assembly easier.
These "pre-production" cars are now very much in demand since they represent the e-type in its purest form ... the way the engineers
envisioned the car, defects and all. These cars are almost 50 years old and needless to say where not designed to last this long. Over the
years many were neglected and destroyed and many that survived did so with replacement parts from later cars. The more original parts a
surviving early e-type has, the more interesting it becomes. Below are a few of the most obvious differences between this car and the later
e-type
Click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge.
Perhaps the most distinct feature of the early
cars is the external bonnet latches. A special tool
is used to latch the bonnet.
cars is the external bonnet latches. A special tool
is used to latch the bonnet.
Car built before mid-1962 had the bonnet louvers
welded in as separate part. In later cars the
louvers were part of the stamping.
welded in as separate part. In later cars the
louvers were part of the stamping.
Car built before mid-1962 had front floor which
were flat. Later cars were dipped to provide
additional leg room.
were flat. Later cars were dipped to provide
additional leg room.
1961 cars had this metal Lucas regulator, later
cars had a black plastic covered regulator
cars had a black plastic covered regulator
Early style interior grab handle
Single drain hole. Later cars have two drain holes
on the sides
on the sides
Early style boot hinges.
Original boot floor in excellent condition. If you
look closely you should be able to see one of the
metal clips used to hold the metal rod for the
Shelley jack. These jacks were only used in 1961
and some 1962. If this was a replacement panel
that clip would be missing.
look closely you should be able to see one of the
metal clips used to hold the metal rod for the
Shelley jack. These jacks were only used in 1961
and some 1962. If this was a replacement panel
that clip would be missing.
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Round clutch and brake bottles were used in
1961 and some 1962. Later cars had square
bottles with a grey cap to cover the electrical
connections.
1961 and some 1962. Later cars had square
bottles with a grey cap to cover the electrical
connections.
Notice the engine breather exits to the left side of
the engine and vents to the atmosphere. Later
cars had the breather connected to the carbs.
the engine and vents to the atmosphere. Later
cars had the breather connected to the carbs.
