The Jaguar E-Type (XKE) series 3 5.3 V12 |
| Years |
1971-75 |
See also
E-Type Series 1 3.8
E-Type Series 1 4.2
E-Type Series 2 4.2 |
| Notes |
The story of the V12 motor will be told
elsewhere in this database. Suffice it to say here that Jaguar had developed a V12 in the
mid sixties for the XJ-13 racing car of 1965. However the V12 which powered the
Series 3 E- type and the XJ12 was a considerably different engine than that of the
XJ-13. By 1971 the XJ12 was about to appear, and, just as many year ago the XK120
had been a test bed for the XK engine, so the E- Type became an early test application of
the new V12 engine. For the Series 3, other changes were made to the
car. The hood air intake opening was again increased, and for the first time a
grille was fitted. Larger wheels and tires were used, and the front track increased
by some 4 inches. Wheel arches were increased in size, and fenders flared to cover
the larger wheels. Considerable design changes had to be made to the front subframe
to accomodate the larger V12 engine. During the life span of this model, US crash
regulations became more stringent, and, as a result the 1973 and 1974/5 models were fitted
with rubber over riders front and rear (2 1/2 mph protection on the 1973, and 5 mph on the
1974/5) The 2 seater coupe was dropped from the model range, and both
remaining models were now built on the extended 104 inch wheelbase.
Interior changes were relatively minor, the most noticable being the
replacement of the wood rim steering wheel, with a slightly smaller leather covered wheel.
Steel wheels now became standard with both stove enamel and chrome wire wheels
still available as options.
Both models were now available with automatic transmission - the first time
this had been available on the roadster model. |
| Description |
2 door sports, available in two body styles
- Roadster
- Fixed Head Coupe
- Fixed Head Coupe 2+2
|
| Engine |
| Model |
Engine |
Bore/Stroke |
Power |
| E-Type 4.2 Series 1 |
5343 cc 12 cyl single overhead camshaft |
90 x 70 mm |
272 bhp @ 5850 rpm |
|
| Carburetors |
| Four Stromberg CDSE, Lucus OPUS Electronic ignition |
|
|
Engine was the Jaguar SOHC V12 |
| Brakes |
4 wheel disc (Girling), with servo assist |
Production
(Various sources differ, slightly and these numbers are close estimates) |
|
| Weight |
| Roadster |
3200 pounds |
| FHC 2+2 |
3250 pounds |
|
| Length |
15 feet 4 (Roadster and FHC 2+2) |
| Height |
4 feet 1 inch |
| Width |
5 feet 4 1/2 inches |
| Top speed |
150 mph (with manual transmission) |
| Wheelbase |
105 inches (Roadster and FHC 2+2) |
| Transmission |
4-speed manual. All synchromesh. Optional Borg
Warner auotmatic transmission on both models. This was now model 12, as opposed to the
model 8 which had been available in previous series E-types. |
| Suspension |
| Front |
Independent. Torsion bars, double wishbones and anti-roll bar |
| Rear |
Independent, coil springs. Mounted in separate subframe. |
|
| Chassis Numbers |
| Roadster |
1S1001 and up (RHD models)
1S20001 and up (LHD models) |
| Fixed Head 2+2 |
1S50001 and up (RHD models)
1S70001 and up (LHD models) |
|
| Engine Numbers |
| All models |
7S prefix. then 4 or 5 digit engine number. For further details see the engine numbers page |
|
| Standard Equipment |
Leather seating on all models, Painted steel
wheels 15" rim x 6" wide. (silver colored). Wire wheels, both stove enamel and
chrome wheels of the same dimensions were optional extras. This was a change from the
earlier series, in which wire wheels were standard.. |
| Options |
Stove Enamel and Chrome wire wheels. Various
radios, fog lights, White wall tires. 3 speed automatic transmission on both
models, Electrically heated glass for rear window of coupes. Air conditioning and power
steering. Detachable hardtop for the roadster model. |