The Jaguar E-Type (XKE) series 1 (and 1 1/2) 4.2 |
Years |
1964-1968 |
See also |
XKE Series 1 3.8 liter
1961-1964 |
Notes |
In line with the engine changes made to the MK X
sedan, when it was fitted with the 4.2 liter version of the XK engine and became the 420G,
the E-Type was also changed in 1964. The changes involved fitment of the 4.2 engine
in place of the previous 3.8 liter unit, and an all synchomesh 4 speed gearbox.
Inside the car the seats were improved, and the aluminum trim on the center dash, and
transmission tunnel was replaced with black cloth. A new third model
also appeared at this time. To broaden the appeal of the E Type it was decided to build an
extended wheelbase version of the FHC which allowed placement of two small rear seats. The
resulting car appears to have been given various names in the brochures and advertisments
of the day - The XKE Sedan, the XKE Family Coupe and the Fixed Head Coupe 2+2.
The latter name is used in these notes. In line with its role as a more touring type
car, it was available with optional 3-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission. As well as
the extra length the roofline was raised by 2 inches, and the bottom of the windshield
moved forward. All of these changes added up to considerably more space inside.
During 1968 various changes were made to all three models but these changes did
not come all together. Their purpose was to adapt the car to the requirements of the
American Government. These requirements included standards which had to be met for crash
worthiness, and emissions pollution. Rather than do all the modifications at once, cars
built for the 1968 model year phased them in gradually. The series II cars of 1969
and on were federalized from the start. The very first change made was the elimination of
the sloping glass cover over the headlights. (It appears this was done during the 1967
model year to otherwise standard Series 1 cars. Later changes involved the intake
manifold and carburetors. The previous triple SU setup was replaced by a 2 carburetor
layout employing Stromberg CD2SE's. The federalized 4. 2 engine can be recognized by
the carburetors, and the use of the new cam covers with raised fins. Inside the car the
previous toggle switches were replaced by rocker switches which would be less of a hazard
to the occupants in the event of a crash. A collapsible steering column was alkso fitted.
The one interior change perhaps most worthy of note was the demise of the famous
Jaguar starter button on the dash. It was replaced by the standard key start.
Jaguar never officially referred to the late 1967 and 1968 cars as anything
other than Series 1. The "Series 1 1/2" has become an unofficial way of
referring to them. |
Description |
2 door sports, available in three body styles
- Roadster
- Fixed Head Coupe
- Fixed Head Coupe 2+2
|
Colors |
See the E-Type (XKE) colors
page |
Picture |
Series 1 4.2 liter Open Two Seater
(OTS) Roadster |
Engine |
Model |
Engine |
Bore/Stroke |
Power |
E-Type 4.2 Series 1 |
4235 cc 6 cyl twin overhead camshaft |
92.07 x 106 mm |
265 bhp @ 5400 rpm
246 bhp @ 5500 rpm (Federal) |
|
Carburetors |
Three SU HD8 (2 Stromberg CD2SE - federalized version of late
1967/68 - so called series 1.5) |
|
|
Engine was the Jaguar XK type DOHC inline 6. |
Brakes |
4 wheel disc (Dunlop), with servo assist |
Production
(Various sources differ, slightly and these numbers are close estimates) |
Roadster |
Fixed Head |
Fixed Head 2+2 |
|
|
|
|
Weight |
Roadster |
2770 pounds |
FHC |
2900 pounds |
FHC 2+2 |
3090 pounds |
|
Length |
14 feet 7 1/2 inches (Roadster and FHC), 15 feet 4 1/2
inches (FHC 2+2) |
Height |
3 feet 11 inches (Roadster and FHC), 4 feet 2 1/2 inches
(FHC 2+2) |
Width |
5 feet 4 1/2 inches |
Top speed |
150 mph (with manual transmission) |
Wheelbase |
96 inches (Roadster and FHC), 105 inches (FHC 2+2) |
Transmission |
4-speed manual. All synchromesh. Optional Borg Warner
auotmatic transmission on the FHC 2+2 model. |
Suspension |
Front |
Independent. Torsion bars, double wishbones and anti-roll bar |
Rear |
Independent, coil springs. Mounted in separate subframe. |
|
Chassis Numbers |
Roadster |
1E1001 and up (RHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2" 1E1864
1E10001 and up (LHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2" 1E15980 |
Fixed Head |
1E2001 and up (RHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2" 1E21584
1E30001 and up (LHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2" 1E34583 |
Fixed Head 2+2 |
1E50001 and up (RHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2"
1E50975
1E75001 and up (LHD models) - first "Series 1 1 /2" 1E77709 |
|
Engine Numbers |
All models |
7E prefix. then 4 digit engine number. (engine numbers appear to have made
it to 5 digits that is engine number 7E10000 by around March 1967) Sometime around mid
1966 the 2+2 model appears to have been given its own engine number series starting at 7E
50000
For further details, refer to the XKE engine numbers
page |
|
Standard Equipment |
Leather seating on all models, Wire wheels 72 spoke, 15"
rim x 5" wide (silver colored). Chrome wheels of the same dimensions were optional
extras. |
Options |
Chrome wire wheels. Various radios, fog lights,
White wall tires. 3 speed automatic transmission on 2+2 model |