09.12.2023

The Jaguar E-Type is a British sports car that was manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd. between 1961 and 1974. The Series 2 Jaguar E-Type was built from 1968 to 1971 and featured a number of design changes to satisfy US legislation where the car was a big seller. The new model also featured power steering and air conditioning as extras.

The top speed of a Jaguar E-Type depends on the model and the year of production. According to the web search results, the original E-Type claimed a top speed of 150 miles per hour (240 km/h), but this was only achieved with a specially tuned car. The standard E-Type roadster could reach about 135 mph (217 km/h), while the coupe was slightly faster at 140 mph (225 km/h). The later Series 2 and Series 3 models had lower top speeds due to the changes in the aerodynamics and the emission regulations. The fastest E-Type ever built is a custom racing car that can reach over 180 mph (290 km/h). It is currently for sale and has a modified engine, gearbox, suspension, and wheels.

The Series 2 E-Type featured a number of design changes from the original Series 1 model, most of which were inspired by US legislation where the car was a big seller. The new model also featured power steering and air conditioning as extras. Some of the changes included:

• Open headlights without glass covers, which were repositioned further forward.
• A larger mouth, more efficient radiator and twin electric cooling fans for improved cooling.
• A wrap-around rear bumper and an enlarged grille.
• Plastic rocker switches instead of metal toggles, and a collapsible steering column with a steering lock.
• Larger front and rear calipers for better braking performance.
• Reclining seats with headrests in the 2+2 model.

The Series 2 E-Type was still a fast and elegant sports car, but some purists felt that it lost some of the charm and character of the original Series 1 model. However, the Series 2 E-Type was also more reliable and comfortable than it, and it remains a highly sought-after classic car today.

The Jaguar E-Type Series 2 has appeared in several movies and TV series over the years. Some of the most notable ones are:

• Le corniaud (1965): A French comedy film, starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil, about a hapless car owner who unwittingly becomes a smuggler. His car, a red 1961 Jaguar E-Type, is loaded with drugs, jewels, gold and a bomb.
• The Ipcress File (1965): A British spy film, starring Michael Caine as Harry Palmer, a secret agent who investigates a mysterious brainwashing plot. He drives a blue 1961 Jaguar E-Type.
• House of Gucci (2021): A biographical crime drama film, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, about the murder of Maurizio Gucci, the former head of the Gucci fashion house. He drives a silver Jaguar E-Type Series 22.