The Jaguar XKE leaped onto the world’s sports-car stage in March 1961. To anyone for whom the automobile is more about romance than utility, the Jaguar XKE ranks among the most important cars ever created. And not only for its virtues as a vehicle.
The Jaguar XKE was manufactured at the Coventry plant in England in three different versions throughout its life which are commonly known as “Series 1″, “Series 2″ and “Series 3″. The Jaguar XKE was something more — much more. There are enthusiasts who hold that racing is the highest of the automotive arts, and thus a roadgoing automobile must be derived from racing experience. For them, a sports car based on a competition car is the best car.
Such disciples perceive a natural link between the demands of the speedway and the pleasures of the open highway, and believe fervently that “racing improves the breed.” The E-Type validated their theology. Here was a sports car that was not only exquisitely pleasing to look at and exciting to drive in every way, but one sired directly by a racing car. And not just any racing car, but the Jaguar D-Type, which had won the world’s most prestigious sports-car race three years running, in 1955, 1956 and 1957. Through various changes in a small number of years on the Jaguar XKE between the Series 1 and Series 2 versions there is an unofficial version known as ”Series 1½”.