Introduced as a 3.8-liter in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type caused quite a stir when it first appeared, with instantly classic lines and a top speed of 241 km/h. Nowadays, it would be impossible for a single model to make that much noise, but it was a production sports car with a civilized streak that looked like a Le Mans prototype. The E-Type's design owes much to that of the racing D-Type: a monocoque chassis that forms the main frame with a space tubular frame extended forward to support the engine.
The first significant upgrade took place in October 1964 with the release of the 4.2-liter version, which we present here. With a bigger and more powerful engine and a gearbox. Aside from the '4.2' badge, the car's exterior appearance has remained unchanged, but under the hood there have been many improvements to details, notably the electrical and cooling systems, as well as the seating arrangement. Top speed remained unchanged, with the main performance boost resulting from the larger engine being improved acceleration.
This unit is in excellent condition and has undergone a documented restoration from A to Z.