DUEL: JAGUAR E-TYPE S1 v S3
Which is best – an early straight-six powered E-type or a Series Three V12?
Words Iain Wakefi eld, Paul Wager
E-Type Series 1
Iain Wakefi eld, Managing Editor
Whenever anyone discovers what I do for a
living, one of the most frequent questions people
ask is: “Have you ever driven an E-Type?” Before
being allowed to answer, this is often followed
up with: “When my Lottery numbers come up I’m
going to buy an E-Type”. When asked which one,
my new-found friend’s eyes start to slowly glaze
over while I explain how Jaguar built several
different versions of the E-Type between 1961
and 1974 and there’s a vast difference between
and early and late models.
Although I’ll never turn down the opportunity
to get behind the wheel of a V12-powered Series
3 E-Type coupé or roadster, I always prefer the
simple charm of the earlier 3.8 or 4.2-litre XK-
powered versions. Even better if it’s one of those
rare E-types built in 1968, as today these Series
1½ cars are thin on the ground and excellent
examples now command astronomical prices
whenever they come up for sale. The reason
this year is so special to E-Type enthusiasts is
because it was the transitional period between
the Series 1 and 2 and is noted even by experts
as a confusing year for E-Type production.
At the time the factory was modifying Series 1
cars to comply with the ever-increasing Federal
emission regulations due to come into force on
the other side of the pond and the fully compliant
Series 2 E-Type wasn’t due to break cover
until 1969. This resulted in sporting big cats
produced during 1968 being unoffi cially dubbed
by owners as Series 1½ cars. As far as Jaguar
was concerned, these versions were basically
the same as a Series 1, even though they
included a few of the upgrades later included in
the revised Series 2 cars.
History lesson over, so why am I arguing that an
early E-Type should come out on top in this duel,
rather than a later V12-powered version? In my view
it all comes down to originality, as so many iconic
automotive designs such as the E-Type have been
watered down over the years to suit demanding
marketing departments and stricter regulations.
However, although I get a great amount of pleasure
driving any early E-Type, the main reason my vote
goes to 1½ is because back in 1961 my dad took
me to the London Motor Show where the world’s
Classic Car Mart Spring 2016 55
Duel: E-Type S1 v S3 V12