More than an old car #141: Jaguar E-Type

 Having seen a fair share of classic cars, there are but a few that invariably takes my breath away. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the eponymous company, once called it "the most beautiful car ever made". It has been recognised as an icon of the Sixties and remains ever-popular despite its age...introducing the Jaguar E-Type!

The E-Type (also known as the XK-E in North America) was the successor of the D-Type racing car, which had experienced success by winning at Le Mans for 3 consecutive years. At that time in 1960, Jaguar employed a novel racing principle: the front suspension and bodywork were directly bolted to the body tub, and the engine was stored in the front subframe. In short, this made the cars very light. It was unveiled to the public in 1961 at the Geneva Auto Show There were 3 distinct generations of the E-Type, namely Series 1 to 3. Series 1 cars remain the most desirable, in part of their low numbers and it was the car that inspired many rave reviews about its elegant curves and long bonnet. In 1964, the engine was upgraded to a 4.2 litre i6 engine, along with relevant modifications such as an electric cooling fan for the radiator. All cars were fitted with wire wheels, which remains part of the allure of an E-Type.

The Series 2, which appeared in 1968, featured a number of design changes, largely due to US regulations. The glass headlight covers were removed and the iconic 'mouth' was enlarged, along with the front indicators being relocated below the bumpers. Furthermore, headrests were also mandated and the dashboard was also redesigned. In 1971, the Series 3 appeared where it featured a large cross-slatted front grille, fender flares and quad tailpipes. Notably, the engine was enlarged to a 5.3 litre V12, which was originally designed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans races.

The Series 1 (1962 model) was powered by a 3781 cc XK i6 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 240 km/h with an acceleration of 6.5 seconds [0-100 km/h]. It was 4455 mm long and weighed 1250 kg, with a fuel consumption of 16.3 litres/ 100 km.
The Series 2 (1970 model) was powered by a larger 4235 cc XK i6 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 231 km/h with an acceleration of 7 seconds [0-100 km/h]. It was 4453 mm long and weighed 1321 kg, with a fuel consumption of 16.5 litres/ 100 km.
The Series 3 (1974 model) was powered by an even larger 5343 cc Jaguar V12 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 241 km/h with an acceleration of 6.7 seconds [0-100 km/h]. It was 4684 mm long and weighed 1515 kg, with a fuel consumption of 23 litres/ 100 km.

Production of the E-Type ended in 1974 with a total of around 72,515 made: of which 943 were the 3.8 litre Series 1 RHD roadsters, 776 were Series 2 RHD roadsters and 1872 were Series 3 RHD roadsters. They were first sold in Singapore in 1961, with a retail price of $15,750 for the roadster and $16,350 for the fixed-head coupe. Reviews back then praised its ease of driving, superb handling and smooth braking, although it was thought that the car boot was too small to be of practical use.

While there are a small handful of E-Types that are originally registered here, there are an increasing number of imported units that have reached our shores. I am not one to praise cars often, but the E-Type really makes you notice its presence based on how graceful it is. It is fortunate that there are still these beauties around here, try to see one if you can!

More than an old car #38: Jaguar Mark X

From my observations, I would say that old Jaguars are 'endangered': you can find them in the wild but you need luck and skill to find one. However, this 1963 Jaguar Mark X seems to be the only one of its kind here, and this was a seriously coincidental encounter! I was walking back home when I chanced upon this wedding convoy for an Indian couple it seems and clearly this specimen was the star of the show.

The Mark X [Mark 10] was Jaguar's top-range saloon car from 1961-1970 and it was primarily aimed at the US market. It had a unibody car frame [the whole body was made in one piece rather than being welded together] and had a unique 'independent rear suspension' system unheard from British cars at that time. This was the first car to introduce the 4 level headlights and the slanted front end, which is recognizable as a Jaguar feature today. The most striking part would certainly be its svelte curves and how massive it was--even cars today lack the gracefulness and poise of this gentleman here. Beneath the hood lies a 3781cc XK 6-cylinder engine, though later cars were later upgraded to 4235cc from 1964. It could reach a top speed of 203km/h with an acceleration of 11.8 seconds [0-100km/h]. As a car positioned towards heads of state, diplomats and film stars, it was a hefty 5.13m long and weighed 1880kg.

Although it received rave reviews, it never really sold well in the US as it was considered 'too dated' or 'too big'. Only 13,382 were made in the 3.8 litre edition, and this is the only one in Singapore at the moment. I do not know whether this behemoth has been on our roads back then or a recent import. An interesting thing to note is that it has no rear view mirrors, which makes parking challenging at the very least. However, it is really rare for cars to be so advanced in its time--perhaps you may see this some day!

More than an old car #27: Jaguar XJ6

Previously, I covered the SS Jaguar and I am sure that most of you would be aware of the Jaguar brand as well ie the car driven by rich businessmen. Although older Jags are a rarity in Singapore, they do pop up every now and then. This 1971 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 Litre is a prime example of a car that remains timeless in its design.

The 1st series of the Jaguar XJ was introduced in 1968, with input from former Jaguar chairman Sir William Lyons. The XJ series remains popular throughout its lifespan even until today, but surprisingly Jaguar was hindered by the XJ's success to expand to other models. This specimen was powered by a 4235cc XK 6-cylinder engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 191 km/h and an acceleration of 9.2 seconds [0-100km/h]. It was 4.81 m long and weighed 1676 kg.

Production ended in 1973 with 59,077 produced in the 4.2 Litre variant. It has been well-known for its effective braking and good ride quality, and at least 3 still exist on our roads. This ride has unfortunately fallen into disuse--the first picture was taken back in 2013 while you can see the various rust spots on the second picture. I hope the owner will continue to maintain it for future generations!

More than an old car #21: SS Jaguar 1.5 Litre

Pre-war cars [older than 1939] are very rare in Singapore, given the humidity and the extreme heat all year round. As a result, practically all of such vehicles have been imported here and given a new lease of life under these enthusiasts. They do look somewhat out of place in modern society and this 1938 SS Jaguar/Jaguar Mark IV 1.5 Litre is a prime example of past versus the present.

Many of you would have seen Jaguar Cars, mostly driven by what we call 'rich people'. However, it was initially known as SS Cars Limited, which was founded in 1922 by William Lyons. No one really knows what SS stands for--it could be either 'Swallow Sidecar Company' or 'Standard Swallow'. SS Cars became known as Jaguar Cars in 1945, where it is now part of India-based Tata Motors since 2008.

Production of the SS Jaguar 1.5 Litre began in 1935 and it was the smallest car compared to the larger models such as the 2.5 and 3.5 Litre. The horns are actually somewhat visible under the headlights and the side indicators were welded on the fenders [ie the curved portion over the wheels]. It was powered by a 1776cc Standard 4-cylinder engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 113km/h. It was also 4.39m long and had a 4-speed manual transmission.

When production ended in 1949, 10,430 were made and this specimen here had been imported here recently. I find it amazing that there are people who are willing to go through all the hassle and paperwork in order to drive an antique piece of history given the COE system here. Here;s to hoping that the owner will keep it running in the years to come!