The SHOCKING Truth About Jaguar's E Type 1961 Production Secrets

Comments · 107

• HE

  @hezigler · 6 months ago

  Summer of 1966, I worked as a gas pump jockey and car mechanic at a full service SOHIO station in the neighborhood of the University of Cincinnati. We had several regular customers who drove E-Jags, mostly tenured professors and a few physicians. A prof with a '61 or '62 convertible bought a new battery and it took three of us away from the pumps and lube jobs to install that new battery. There was a coolant hose that passed over the battery. It had to be removed. That meant draining all the coolant first. It was still a glorious experience to be allowed under the hood...

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• CM

  @cmiimages · 8 months ago

  Double clutch  gear change action is very old school and one of my favorite gearbox moves, amazed at peoples reaction to the trick.

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• JO

  @jonaus6171 · 9 months ago

  Most 3.8 & 4.2 E Types sold in Europe were fitted with 3.31 differentials which needed ~ 6,000 rpm to acchieve 150 mph depending on the tyres used.  Cars fitted with the optional 3.09 diffs could hit the magic 150 mph more easily as they did not need to "over rev" past peak power to achieve 150 mph.  US emission controls reduced max power by 10 / 15% and most US cars were fitted with 3.54 diffs. During 1964 when I was a development engineer in the Jaguar Experimental Department, our unregistered Red Hardtop 4.2 was fitted with a "Windy" gas flowed cylinder head, older (less restrictive) Chiswick & Wright silencers and a 5 speed all synchro gearbox which had an "over-drive" 5th gear,  I did thousands of miles on the unopened M 1 extension cruising at 140 / 150 mph with indicated top speeds  ~ 160 mph using prototype Dunlop SP 41 tyres inflated to 45 psi.

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• ZG

  @zgeezer474 · 8 months ago

  Bought a RHD OTS in 1963, factory purchase with WK (Coventry ) registration. Built at the same time as lightweights. Ordered to my specifications (color, interior, comp ratio, rear ratio). Factory gave me everything I wanted, including RHD. Probably could have requested an aluminum body. Who knew?  Driven to shipper. Still own it. Not a flat floor , however.  The only modification is addition of remote bleeders for rear brakes. Double clutch- no big deal. I ordered the RHD , shipped to USA because the local Jaguar mechanics told me to get a RHD because they build them better for the home market. 62 years later, still trouble free. Thanks for the great video.

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• FE

  @fezziwig47 · 9 months ago

  Not quite sure why the Citroen DS photos/video are in this.

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• JE

  @jeffreywoolley5461 · 9 months ago

  in 1969 i was a aircraft mechanic for Western airlines in San Francisco i bought a '63 British racing green OTS for $1600 left outside top down, the paint was good the car needed new seat covers carpet and top, steering wheel refinished, i had worked in a upholstrey shop in high school i replaced the top (easy) the seat covers and carpets more difficult but done Not original leather materials but looked original, refinished the steering wheel, i had a very presentable and driving Jag! BUT the non syncro 1st gear was a nightmare i could double clutch but sometimes missed i hated that!, i drove it to S.L.C. Ut. across Nevada which had no speed limit in open areas at that time i did reach 140 MPH by the speedometer then backed off still had some petal, in 1970 i was driving down El Camino in Palo Alto and passed a Jaguar dealership and on the showroom floor under lights i saw the most beautiful XKE OTS i had ever seen (Robbins egg blue), i did i U turn and two hours later drove out with  brand new Jag, i got $3500 for trade in so i made some money (if i still had it i'd make a lot more!) later when having my 70 serviced i was told my 63 was bought by the Stanford quarterback!, the 70 was better off the line and a joy to drive but the 63 had a better top end but who needs 140 MPH? 130 is plenty!, i currently have a 72 OTS V-12 it passed 100 briefly in Nevada which now has speed limit of 80 MPH! so i backed off with plenty of petal left. i love my JAGS!

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• GA

  @garychiuminatto917 · 7 months ago

  I bought a 1967 4.2L OTS &nbsp;in 1972 in great shape with the exception of the top and seats. Drove it for a couple of years and then decided to restore it. When I bought it the previous owner told me he had just had the differential rebuilt at the Jag dealership. The engine was great and only had 60k miles on it. I started with the engine rebuild. Had everything balanced and went with 10 to 1 dome pistons under the recommendation of a Jag factory and racing team factory mechanic. I had him rebuild the transmission. He told me he put in the best synchros and all the top notch parts. I rebuilt the steering and polished the cam covers and carb vacuum chambers to a mirror finish. Anything that seemed worn I replaced with new. I had all the mechanical completely rebuilt from front to rear. All it needed to be perfect was paint and upholstery. Unfortunately I lost my job and with a wife and two small children I had to sell it. I forgot to mention it also had the auxiliary hard top. I hated to let it go but had to think of the family first. The guy that bought it didn’t even quibble on the price, gave me full asking price. That car was the absolute best handling and riding car iv ever owned.<br>If you could love a car I really did. I always hoped I could purchase another one but at today’s prices, my income and age I can only hope I win the lottery!

• ST

  @stellar1948 · 8 months ago (edited)

  Had several E-types , roadsters and one 2+2 that was &quot;rolled&quot;, and so did 2 of my fiends that fell in love with mine. I drove one daily. Never could just go to the corner store to get something... Always ended up putting 50-to 100 kilometers on before getting home. It was so much fun . Was going to buy Bill Kennedy&apos;s &quot;At The Movies show&quot; V12 in Detroit but after test drive and looking at it decided not to. Couldn&apos;t stand the big rubber bumper guards but the car was strong fast but little bit too heavy comparing to 3.8 and 4.2. I still consider it to be the most beautiful car ever built.

• WI

  @williamwidhelm2136 · 9 months ago

  I had a flat floor, outside hood latches, aluminum console, Dark blue OTS. &nbsp;High maintenance and starting to rust. &nbsp;I sold it for $2000 in 1967 wwith 60,000 miles and bought a Corvair. &nbsp;Who knew?

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• AN

  @AndrewWhite-c4d · 9 months ago

  Between 1964 and 1970, I worked at two Jaguar dealership. &nbsp;One in Epsom and the other in South London. I don&apos;t remember problems with the brakes, other that with Dunlop brakes, the worn brake pads were hard to remove. This was rectified, when they moved to brakes by Girling.

• GA

  @garypeatling7927 · 9 months ago

  The moss box is lovely &nbsp;when everything &nbsp;is going right and you feel good , but try and force it &nbsp;or change &nbsp;gear roughly it &nbsp;just &nbsp;goes on &nbsp;strike

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• JI

  @jimmyjimison2697 · 6 days ago

  Cool looking cars