Model story

Jaguar XKE S2 (2+2) 1969

As AUTOCAR wrote, at its launch at the Geneva Auto Salon in March 1961, the E-Type with 3.8-litre straight-six engine sourced from the XK not only stole the show but every headline. Enzo Ferrari described the Jaguar as the most beautiful car in the world, and few many regard the original Coupé and Roadster models as perfect from every angle.

By the time the E-Type was unveiled in 1961, it had a 265 bhp 3.8-litre engine and four-speed manual box. A claimed top speed of 150 mph was a little optimistic for standard production versions, but with a list price of £2097 for the Roadster and £2196 for the Coupe, no one seemed to care - it was half the price of its more exotic rivals.

Jaguar continued to develop the E-Type road car by fitting the larger 4.2-litre XK engine in 1964. Although it still offered 265 bhp, the 4.2 came with more torque. Meanwhile, the manual gearbox gained synchromesh on all ratios. The following year, a 2+2 model joined the range for the sporting family driver.

In 1967, Jaguar launched an updated model which came to be known as the Series 1 ½, which was only in production for a single year from 1967 to 1968. It brought the new unfaired headlight design that subsequently featured on the S2. Improved brakes were also among the updates.