1966 JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES I 4.2 ROADSTER
Chassis no. J671 E 13 357
Black with tan leather interior.
Engine: six cylinders in line, twin overhead camshafts, twin SU carburettors, 4235cc, 265 bhp at 5400 rpm; Gearbox: manual four-speed sychromesh; Suspension: front independent by wishbones and coil springs, rear independent with twin coil spring damper units; Brakes servo assisted discs all round; centre-lock wire wheels. Left hand drive.
Since its introduction at the Geneva Salon in 1961, few sporting automobiles have had such universal appeal as the E-Type Jaguar . Into it Sir William Lyons and his gifted team at the Coventry factory poured a distillation of all they had learned about high performance cars in the demanding arena of th Le Mans 24-hours races and other searching events. In its first 3.8 litre form it was probably the world's fastest production model. To keep the advantage, at the 1964 New York Show an upgraded and enlarged engine was announced. Visually, the 4.2 Series I was not changed, but under that sleek bonnet the engine was given re-spaced cylinder bores to accomodate the displacement increase. There was a new crankshaft with repositioned counterbalance weights to reduce the load on the main bearings. Peak torque went up from the 3.8's 240 lb/ft to an impressive 280 lb/ft. Jaguar's own all-sychromesh gearbox was introduced and there was an improved power braking system. Retaining much of the lightness of the 3.8, yet with an abundance of torque and that all-synchromesh Jaguar gearbox, the 4.2 series is today judged to be the most collectable of the type.
This example is believed to have been sold new in the USA, as it is left hand drive, but has an odometer in miles. The vendor purchased it over ten years ago and it is said to be in excellent order, driving very well. The paintwork and leather both seem to be original.