Showing posts with label E-Type. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E-Type. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Jaguar V12 E-Type Series 3 #IS 2857
In the summer of 1980 I passed my college entrance exams, at my third attempt and before finally fleeing the family nest in Wembley to attend Trent Polytechnic, I got a summer job at a local Honda dealership to tide me over.
One of the dealership owners many cars, and even more motorcycles, was a black Jaguar E - Type Convertible like the one in these photographs one of the last fifty made, all available only in black, a fact that is noted on a brass plate mounted on the glove box cover.
In 1971 the Series 3 E-Types ushured Jaguars second ever completely new motor into production, an all aluminium 5.3 litre / 326 cui V12 with 2 valves per cylinder design that had it's origins in a design intended for racing dating back to 1954. This motor would eventually be developed into a 7 litre / 427 quad cam that would be used to win at Le Mans twice, 1988 and 1990.
All Series 3 E-types were built around the longer 2+2 chassis pan, most with the V12 engine but a few Series 3 models were built with the older 4.2 litre / 256 cui 6 cylinder motor.
The brass plaque on the right of this photo gives the chassis number as IS 2857 which according to the only list of XKE chassis numbers I have seen suggests this car was originally supplied in Right Hand Drive form.
This particularly splendid example, seen here at the recent Silverstone Classic, has been restored and 'sympathetically' upgraded winning the Speis Hecker World Masterpiece competition for outstanding coachwork re-finishing.
My own 30 year old memories of the V12 E - Type were that it was certainly a buzz taking the car to the petrol pump down the road, it turned heads, the engine was silky smooth, the steering was light but it inspired little or no confidence, even on a roundabout at perfectly legal speeds, in it's handling capabilities, it seemed to lean in the corners rather that hug the road as even my pedestrian FIAT 128 did, and parking a car with such a long nose was an absolute nightmare on a crowded parking lot.
Overall I was disappointed with how the car drove a bit like meeting a rock star whom one has held in high esteem only to find that he / she has all the usual human traits some of which are not so pleasant or different from our selves, or driving an air cooled Porsche for the first time to find that interior has the same smell of fumes as an air cooled VW Beetle, more boulevard cruiser than the track racer which I was expecting.
Thanks for joining me on this E-type edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
One of the dealership owners many cars, and even more motorcycles, was a black Jaguar E - Type Convertible like the one in these photographs one of the last fifty made, all available only in black, a fact that is noted on a brass plate mounted on the glove box cover.
In 1971 the Series 3 E-Types ushured Jaguars second ever completely new motor into production, an all aluminium 5.3 litre / 326 cui V12 with 2 valves per cylinder design that had it's origins in a design intended for racing dating back to 1954. This motor would eventually be developed into a 7 litre / 427 quad cam that would be used to win at Le Mans twice, 1988 and 1990.
All Series 3 E-types were built around the longer 2+2 chassis pan, most with the V12 engine but a few Series 3 models were built with the older 4.2 litre / 256 cui 6 cylinder motor.
The brass plaque on the right of this photo gives the chassis number as IS 2857 which according to the only list of XKE chassis numbers I have seen suggests this car was originally supplied in Right Hand Drive form.
This particularly splendid example, seen here at the recent Silverstone Classic, has been restored and 'sympathetically' upgraded winning the Speis Hecker World Masterpiece competition for outstanding coachwork re-finishing.
My own 30 year old memories of the V12 E - Type were that it was certainly a buzz taking the car to the petrol pump down the road, it turned heads, the engine was silky smooth, the steering was light but it inspired little or no confidence, even on a roundabout at perfectly legal speeds, in it's handling capabilities, it seemed to lean in the corners rather that hug the road as even my pedestrian FIAT 128 did, and parking a car with such a long nose was an absolute nightmare on a crowded parking lot.
Overall I was disappointed with how the car drove a bit like meeting a rock star whom one has held in high esteem only to find that he / she has all the usual human traits some of which are not so pleasant or different from our selves, or driving an air cooled Porsche for the first time to find that interior has the same smell of fumes as an air cooled VW Beetle, more boulevard cruiser than the track racer which I was expecting.
Thanks for joining me on this E-type edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Original Lightweight - Jaguar Lightweight E - Type 9/12
In 1962 Jaguar built a Low Drag Coupé E-type, with a steel inner tub but aluminium outer pannels, that was more in the spirit of the D-Type from which the E-Type styling and design had evolved. The car was not any more competitive than it's all steel namesake despite it's higher performance and the prototype was sold.
From 1963 - 1964 12 Lightweight E- Types were built that evolved from the Low Drag Coupé, again making extensive use of aluminium body panels and other components.
The standard 265 hp iron block straight six engines were upgraded to 300hp aluminium block XK6 specs fitted with fuel injection.
The cars failed to emulate the international success of earlier 'C' and 'D' types at Le Mans or Sebring but they were moderately successful in club racing.
Of the 12 Lightweights built and two additional bodies it is thought 'at least one' was a Coupé some of the open top cars were converted to Low Drag Coupes with even more powerful 340 hp motors.
The vehicle featured in these photographs was the 9th of the 12 originals and carries the chassis number 850666.
The car was purchased and raced by Peter Sutcliffe from 1963 to 1965.
This was the most successful Lightweight E-type in the 1964 season scoring victories at Mallory Park, Zolder and Montlhery out side Paris, France.
Hope you have enjoyed another Lightweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', and that you'll join me again, for Ferrari Friday, tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
From 1963 - 1964 12 Lightweight E- Types were built that evolved from the Low Drag Coupé, again making extensive use of aluminium body panels and other components.
The standard 265 hp iron block straight six engines were upgraded to 300hp aluminium block XK6 specs fitted with fuel injection.
The cars failed to emulate the international success of earlier 'C' and 'D' types at Le Mans or Sebring but they were moderately successful in club racing.
Of the 12 Lightweights built and two additional bodies it is thought 'at least one' was a Coupé some of the open top cars were converted to Low Drag Coupes with even more powerful 340 hp motors.
The vehicle featured in these photographs was the 9th of the 12 originals and carries the chassis number 850666.
The car was purchased and raced by Peter Sutcliffe from 1963 to 1965.
This was the most successful Lightweight E-type in the 1964 season scoring victories at Mallory Park, Zolder and Montlhery out side Paris, France.
Hope you have enjoyed another Lightweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', and that you'll join me again, for Ferrari Friday, tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Heavyweight - Jaguar E- Type 3.8 Coupe
Call me a hopeless romantic but there is something I find irresistible about the notion of walking into a showroom purchasing the fastest vehicle they have in stock, adding a couple towing eyes, a fire extinguisher roll cage and 5 point harness and ignition cut out switch and heading down to the nearest race track.
This kind of racing used to be called stock car racing in the US and Production racing in the UK.
Today's stunning 1961 E-type 3.8 litre Coupe has been kept in more or less original trim since new.
It still has an all steel shell and opening panels.
Until recently the current owner; ex power boat racer, Michael O'Shea has been racing a 1958 XK150S, he has a decades experience racing Jaguars and a couple of years racing a Cooper - Maserati.
Michael first started racing karts at 12 but did not start racing cars for another 34 years.
Racing has been in Michael's blood all his life his Dad was the mastermind behind the O'Shea Racing Organisation which ran a car for a then unknown, future world champion, Jack Brabham.
Michael will be racing his car in the new HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge a series created to cater just for E-types on their 50th Anniversary.
My thanks to Jaguar World and Classic & Performance Car for additional information.
Hope you enjoyed todays Heavyweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don't forget to come back now !
This kind of racing used to be called stock car racing in the US and Production racing in the UK.
Today's stunning 1961 E-type 3.8 litre Coupe has been kept in more or less original trim since new.
It still has an all steel shell and opening panels.
Until recently the current owner; ex power boat racer, Michael O'Shea has been racing a 1958 XK150S, he has a decades experience racing Jaguars and a couple of years racing a Cooper - Maserati.
Michael first started racing karts at 12 but did not start racing cars for another 34 years.
Racing has been in Michael's blood all his life his Dad was the mastermind behind the O'Shea Racing Organisation which ran a car for a then unknown, future world champion, Jack Brabham.
Michael will be racing his car in the new HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge a series created to cater just for E-types on their 50th Anniversary.
My thanks to Jaguar World and Classic & Performance Car for additional information.
Hope you enjoyed todays Heavyweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don't forget to come back now !
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Rust Free Find - Jaguar E-Type Series 1
Continuing GALPOT's Golden anniversary of the E-Type, today's car was found rust free in a lockup by Justin Rockett and rebuilt as a club racer in 1997.
In 2005 it was upgraded to full 'FIA' specifications, which includes a Safety Devices roll cage, the original iron block 3.8 litre / 231 cui motor raced prepared by Sigma Engineering , straight cut close ratio gearbox, limited slip differential,
Jaguar MK IX braking system, polyurethane suspension bushes, uprated torsion bars, springs and shock absorbers. The peg drive Dunlop 'style' wheels are fitted with period 'L' section tyres.
This vehicle which has been seen carrying a registration plate 5187 KV, was purchased by Nothern Irish Jaguar enthusiast and racer Mark Russell in 2009 and has been developed and prepared by Classic Spares.
Hope you have enjoyed today's rust free lock up find edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you'll join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don't forget to come back now !
Thursday, 10 March 2011
The Olde Favourite - Jaguar E-Type #850216
Like the humble Renault 4, the E-Type Jaguar celebrates it's Golden Anniversary this year.
When the E-type Jaguar was launched in 1961 Enzo Ferrari could afford to pay the car a compliment by describing it as 'being the most beautiful car in the world', because he knew his own cars were generally lighter and had more powerful aluminium motors.
The E-type was a direct descendent of the three times Le Mans winning D- Type with an 3.8 litre / 231 cui evolution of the same iron block straight 6 double overhead cam XK6 motor.
This 1961 Series 1 model was delivered to Jaguar agent, Dumbuck Garage, run by Mr & Mrs Stewart parents of the marginally more famous Jimmy Stewart and younger brother the now infinitely more famous Jackie Stewart.
While the car was on the Dumbuck Garage demonstration fleet carrying the registration plate FSN 1 Jackie Stewart got married to Helen and was photographed sitting in this car with his bride on their wedding day.
Subsequently Jackie drove the car to several victories in 1962 which led to his first professional contracts with Ecurie Ecosse and John Coombs for 1963.
Allegedly this vehicle is known as "The Olde Favourite" in Jackie Stewarts family and is currently owned by Michael Wilkinson.
I hope you have enjoyed `The Olde Favourite' edition of "Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres" and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
When the E-type Jaguar was launched in 1961 Enzo Ferrari could afford to pay the car a compliment by describing it as 'being the most beautiful car in the world', because he knew his own cars were generally lighter and had more powerful aluminium motors.
The E-type was a direct descendent of the three times Le Mans winning D- Type with an 3.8 litre / 231 cui evolution of the same iron block straight 6 double overhead cam XK6 motor.
This 1961 Series 1 model was delivered to Jaguar agent, Dumbuck Garage, run by Mr & Mrs Stewart parents of the marginally more famous Jimmy Stewart and younger brother the now infinitely more famous Jackie Stewart.
While the car was on the Dumbuck Garage demonstration fleet carrying the registration plate FSN 1 Jackie Stewart got married to Helen and was photographed sitting in this car with his bride on their wedding day.
Subsequently Jackie drove the car to several victories in 1962 which led to his first professional contracts with Ecurie Ecosse and John Coombs for 1963.
Allegedly this vehicle is known as "The Olde Favourite" in Jackie Stewarts family and is currently owned by Michael Wilkinson.
I hope you have enjoyed `The Olde Favourite' edition of "Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres" and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Monday, 28 February 2011
Classic Expo - Race Retro, Stoneleigh, Coventry 1/2
A couple of weeks ago Tim Murray, Secretary of the Pegasus Motor Club, kindly invited me to join the club for a trip to Race Retro held at the Stoneleigh Park Exhibition and Conference Centre near Coventry, UK.
Here is an oversight of some of the details I saw in a hand full of the 500 plus photo's I took, I'd filled up my phone with images just getting from the Centre's car park to the Exhibition Hall !
Amongst the many celebrations at Race Retro was a celebration of the achievements of the Italian tuning house Abarth.
On the Minibus on the way up to Stoneleigh I found myself sitting next to the legendary classic slingshot drag racer Chris Hartnell whose infectious enthusiasm was all I needed to commit myself to going to a Drag event this season !
This is the view from Adz Prices 'Go Hard or Go Home' known, I believe, as an Altered, the car features a Topolino body and a 360 Mopar with Weland Tunnel Ram. Drag lingo is something I am going to have learn fast. I hope to come back to this vehicle with a full blog in the near future.
It's the 50th Anniversary since the launch of the iconic E-Type Jaguar. I'll be back with a few E-Type blogs to celebrate in the fullness of time.
Amongst the many Jaguars and Jaguar replica's on display was this fabulous XJR15 a model I had not seen in the flesh before.
There was an awesome display of rallying Lancia's including this Group B Delta S4 which was the highest evolution of rally cars ever devised, this particular all wheel drive car had a mid mounted engine that was both turbocharged AND supercharged. It was my good fortune to see this very vehicle in action when it came second in the 1985 RAC Rally on it's debut driven by Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki behind team mates Henri Toivonen and Neil Wilson. Another vehicle that will be the subject of a future blog.
With thanks to Tim Murray and the Pegasus Motor Club without home this blog would not have been possible.
Hope you have enjoyed the first half of my report on the Race Retro Exhibition and that you'll join me again tomorrow for part two. Don't forget to come back now !
Here is an oversight of some of the details I saw in a hand full of the 500 plus photo's I took, I'd filled up my phone with images just getting from the Centre's car park to the Exhibition Hall !
Amongst the many celebrations at Race Retro was a celebration of the achievements of the Italian tuning house Abarth.
On the Minibus on the way up to Stoneleigh I found myself sitting next to the legendary classic slingshot drag racer Chris Hartnell whose infectious enthusiasm was all I needed to commit myself to going to a Drag event this season !
This is the view from Adz Prices 'Go Hard or Go Home' known, I believe, as an Altered, the car features a Topolino body and a 360 Mopar with Weland Tunnel Ram. Drag lingo is something I am going to have learn fast. I hope to come back to this vehicle with a full blog in the near future.
It's the 50th Anniversary since the launch of the iconic E-Type Jaguar. I'll be back with a few E-Type blogs to celebrate in the fullness of time.
Amongst the many Jaguars and Jaguar replica's on display was this fabulous XJR15 a model I had not seen in the flesh before.
There was an awesome display of rallying Lancia's including this Group B Delta S4 which was the highest evolution of rally cars ever devised, this particular all wheel drive car had a mid mounted engine that was both turbocharged AND supercharged. It was my good fortune to see this very vehicle in action when it came second in the 1985 RAC Rally on it's debut driven by Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki behind team mates Henri Toivonen and Neil Wilson. Another vehicle that will be the subject of a future blog.
With thanks to Tim Murray and the Pegasus Motor Club without home this blog would not have been possible.
Hope you have enjoyed the first half of my report on the Race Retro Exhibition and that you'll join me again tomorrow for part two. Don't forget to come back now !
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