Coys Auction - The Festival Auction
Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit
Fawkham, Longfield
Kent, DA3 8NG
Sunday 24th May 2009
First exhibited at the Geneva Salon in March 1961, the Jaguar E-Type received immediate acclaim from the world‘s motoring press. Developed from Jaguar‘s highly successful D-Type, the new car incorporated monocoque construction and independent rear suspension, and was powered by the well known 3.8 litre XK power unit with an output of 265bhp. Maximum speed was 150mph with 0-100 mph acceleration in just over 16 seconds: a true word beater if ever there was one.
By 1961 Jaguar had ceased to take part in motor racing but, ever mindful of the value of this form of publicity, they earmarked the first seven production cars (after Lofty England‘s car) to be specially prepared for racing according to Factory Project ZP 537/24, a written instruction from Chief Designer Claude Bailly to the Production Department. The competition E-Types were mildly modified to incorporate, a