Jaguar is about to enter dangerous territory. A few days ago, at the Paris Motor Show, the F-Type was premiered. It is the closest Jaguar has come to a successor of the legendary E-Type. Obviously, it has a different name and so it isn’t designed to be a direct replacement of the E-Type but it is said to be a ‘spiritual successor’ to the legend. There are small design cues here and there that nod to the E-Type like the narrow tail lights and the fact that it sits where the E-Type would be in Jaguar’s current range. I thought it would be fitting, and in response to a reader’s request a while ago, to have a look at the man behind the E-Type and then the legend itself.
Malcolm Sayer (1916-1970)
From an early age, Sayer found that his interest and passion lay in science and maths; strange considering he designed one of the most glamorous cars in the world. The reason science and maths have so much significance is because he was one of the first designers to apply principles of aerodynamics to cars with scientific calculations, which resulted in the E-Type. His interest went further at Loughborough University where he gained a first class diploma in aeronautical and automotive engineering.Image credit: image
In 1950, Sayer’s career at Jaguar began where he designed the first post-war British sports/racing car capable of challenging the supremacy of Maserati and Ferrari; the Jaguar C-Type. It won Le Mans the first time it participated and then for a further three years running. This is how he made it so successful: his method combined logarithms and complex mathematical formulae to plot the precise intricacies of a 3D treble curved shape and volume to develop the optimum aerodynamic curved shape. I will admit that I copied that last sentence straight from the internet and haven’t a clue what it means. If anyone does know, please explain by way of comment below. Thanks in advance.
The Legendary C-TypeImage credit: image
The success of the C-Type was followed by the success of the D-Type, again combining aerodynamics and a small engine. It became the most successful sports/racing car of its time.
The Stunning D-Type
It was (somewhat unsurprisingly) the E-Type that followed the D-Type and full time production commenced in 1961. This production lasted until 1974 and a total of 72,000 cars were churned out. It was the E-Type that Sayer was famed for. The New York Museum of Modern Art has one on permanent display and says that, ‘Sayer uniquely blended science and art to produce timeless shapes of exceptional and enduring beauty. He brought science to the art of car design; and scientifically produced works of art’.
Image credit: image
Sayer is also credited with the Jaguar XJ13 of 1965, another car intended to be a winner at Le Mans. Unfortunately, due to rule changes and financial restrictions, the XJ13 never actually had the chance to race at Le Mans. When the V12 E-Type was bought to the market in 1971, The XJ13 prototype was taken out of storage as a publicity tool to promote the new E-Type. The publicity team of the E-Type wanted a shot of the XJ13 at speed and whilst building up that speed at MIRA for a photo shoot, a rear tyre deflated and the car rolled, pretty much destroying it. It was put into storage but eventually rebuilt and unveiled in 1973. It is now displayed at the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Collection in Coventry, a museum which sadly closed down this month although is rumoured to be re-locating.
The XJ13
Image credit: image
The XJS was also the work of Sayer, if not quite as iconic as the E-Type, but it did stay in production for 20 years.
In addition to motoring, Sayer had a passion for music, playing the piano and the guitar. He also refused to call himself a ‘stylist’ and referred to himself always as an ‘aerodynamicist’.
He worked as Director of Design at Jaguar before his sad and early death at just 54 in 1970.
Jaguar E-Type and F-Type
For those with good memories, you will recall that about a year ago, I did a blog entitled ‘Best of British’ featuring both the DB5 and the E-Type so I don’t want to cover too much of the same ground for fear of repeating myself. I said in that blog that Jaguar had a tough job on their hands with what we now know is called the ‘F-Type’. I’ll have a little look at the E-Type range and then give you some details of the all-new F-Type.
The Series 1 E-Type was genesis in 1961, originally intended only for export, the domestic market came four months after launch. This was where the iconic styling began: that long bonnet and the tiny cabin balancing on the rear wheels. A 3.8 litre began the E-Type’s run which was then upgraded to a 4.2 litre three years after launch. A total of 38,419 Series 1 units were sold.
The immaculate Series I
Image credit: image
Series 2, of 1969, had slight alterations to the styling: open headlights without the glass covers, wrap-around rear bumpers and tail lights below the bumpers. The interior was also redesigned but despite the changes, this was an E-Type through and through, selling 18,809 units, all with the 4.2 litre engine featured in the second half of the Series 1’s life.
The Series II
Image credit: image
Series 3 took quite a significant mechanical step forward, featuring a V12 engine designed by Jaguar. This was only offered as a convertible and a 2+2 whereas the other two also featured a coupe within the range. You can tell the V12 version by the large cross-slatted front grille. This sold 15,287 units.
The Truly Awesome Series III
Image credit: image
So the F-Type; the ‘spiritual successor’. It was unveiled at Paris last week and looks pretty awesome, as one expects from Jaguar. It signals a return to the part of the market that Jaguar do best: the two-seater convertible sports car. Prices start at £58,500 and Ian Callum is design chief so you know it will be good. The grille continues what we have seen on the XJ and the XF and there are certainly no styling complaints on either of those. The interior is said to be totally driver-orientated, more so than any other Jaguar that has gone before. It features a folding fabric roof, once again, sticking firmly to tradition.
Mechanically, a new 3.0 litre supercharged V6 features producing 335bhp on the standard model and 375bhp on the S model. The range-topper, the V8, comes with 488bhp from a 5.0 litre supercharged unit. The entry-level will complete the 62mph run in 5.3 seconds and the V8 will manage it in just 4.3 seconds.
Another tribute next month, remember to put your requests on the bottom of this post. Thanks for reading.