The Jaguar XKE (export USA version) known in Britain as the Type-E was a most distinctive, fast yet relatively inexpensive sportscar that sent that auto markets head turning and spinning. Yet for all its positive virtues the model had its share of shortcomings and even detractors.

First of all – well known as a fast ultra sleek sport scar – this automobile did not win races as per Jaguar legends – well not initially.

The first public appearance of the Jaguar “E-Type” was at Le Mans in 1960, when the “Cunningham Racing Team” was asked to run a works-built light-alloy version. True the car was fast, yet overall it was somewhat of a disappointment and instead of the greatest of expectations afforded to the setup – did not even finish the Le Mans race itself.

Buyers, drivers and passengers soon found out to their dismay that early cars were “none too large” inside and in addition had poor ventilation. Jaguars and indeed British cars all the way back to early Austins had a well deserved and earned reputation of running to hot and overheating rapidly in heavy traffic and /or summer time climates more temperate than a London foggy day in the British mild and overall moderated climate. These and most over basic problems, were finally rectified in 1964, when the engine was updated and enlarged to 4,235 cc and the first all-synchromesh gearbox transmission units were popped in. Over the lifetime of production and years of production of the model range engine power did ultimately drop due to having to meet stringent US auto exhaust emission standards, the headlight cowls were discarded, and the interior was revised. Disc wheels supplanted wire-spoke “knock ons” and the creature comfort of power steering was offered as a Jaguar factory option fitting a luxury car as well as the sports car automotive market segment to increase its overall sales appeal.

The biggest change however was in 1971, when the 6 cylinder E Type was replaced and “dropped” ( moved up into a new dimension and stratosphere) with a brutal and most rapid auto racing killer 12 cylinder V12 fine motor car. This like the XK engine was a quantity-production “first “in the whole world and global auto making industry. That was at least in terms of any V-12 12 cylinder automobile power plant that could be called both modern in its time frame and technologically advanced as well.

Jaguar home office factory management fully intended the V12, also for their “Saloon” cars for the firm long-term and for the long term health of the Jaguar franchise in the automobile sports and sports / luxury marketplaces.

It can be said that at point, of the introduction of the V12 motor, that the rest of the vehicle remained basically “unchanged”. Over time and production the kinks and shortcomings of the XKE E-Type seemed to been worked out and evolved away as a matter of due course and experience.

True fatter wheels and “tyres” from the XJ6 were added, which meant that the bodywork had to be adapted and modified to fit. All in the all the car was not in final fitting and tested form and format.

In the end the last of the run – the V12s were produced and rolled out in the winter time of 1974/75. Indeed for notoriety and as a final tribute to this sports car legend the last two were painted black and especially “plaqued”. Who knows what these command on the Barrett-Jackson or other vintage and classic car auto auction circuits?

In the end the line had an amazing sales figure total for its day with a total of 72,507 units sold being recorded for the record books, with more than 15,000 being of the V12 standard.

Author Bio: Robert Lac Du Bonnet Traffic Ticket Winnipeg Tickets Specialists