The Jaguar E Type Shuffle

Great Escape Classic Car Hire has reviewed and improved its fleet of Jaguar E Types for hire for 2012. The result is a more diverse range of cars for customers to sample from three different UK starting points.
We've taken the decision to pension off our long servicing Jaguar E Type V12 coupe in the Cotswolds because its condition and reliability had begun to deteriorate during 2012. In its place we've moved our popular Jaguar E Types Series 2 coupe from Suffolk to our Cotswolds base. In Suffolk we've added a new Series 1 E Type coupe 2+2, also in red, to replace the Series 2 car that is moving sites. Complicated stuff but it's all detailed on our Locations pages. Or call us any time on 01527 893733 and we'll provide more details.
The E Types shuffling means that we have an even broader range of Jaguar E Types for hire during 2012. The fleet now includes Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3 cars and all body styles - 2+2, coupe and convertible. The Jaguar E Type cars are available to hire from our locations in Yorkshire, Suffolk and Cotswolds. Prices start at just £275 for 24 hours hire.
"We regularly review our fleet for condition and reliability," explains Graham Eason of Great Escape. "Customers love the blue E Type but unfortunately its condition has deteriorated below what we feel our customers expect.
"Removing this car and adding the Series 1 car improves the range and quality of E Types we have on offer for hire."
The new Series 1 Jaguar E Type in Suffolk is a 4.2 litre car with manual gearbox, red paintwork and 2+2 body style. The car has currently being fully refurbished in time for hire in 2012, including a respray, new interior and various mechanical jobs.
For more details call Great Escape Classic Car Hire on 01527 893733 or visit http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/

Grace, Pace and just enough Space (For Two) by Matt Nichols
Sir William Lyons had a simple vision for his beloved Jaguar cars during the time he presided; grace, pace and space, and so the question is how do the beautiful 60’s E-Type, rectangular shaped 70’s XJS and retro styled 90’s XKR square up. Well one thing they do share in common is space, or more precisely a distinct lack of it, because all three offer a snug fit for two, with any notion of there being room for plus two more best translated as meaning plus two more bags, perfect then for that weekend getaway.
First impressions
E-Types are stunning cars that draw you in the minute you first clap eyes on them, and so unfortunately for the other two here, win your heart in an instant. Their long slender bonnets that hand over to curving rooflines, for the coupes at least, to then meet with the distinctive and equally curvy rear haunches. It doesn’t get any better and therefore any surprise that the newest Jaguar here, the XKR, takes many of its good looks from its granddaddy, albeit on a physically much larger scale. So what of the XJS a car that spanned the 21 year gap between E-Type and XK8 on which the XKR is based? Well back in the day straighter lines were in, and working on the basis that Ferrari were at it with the Daytona, Aston the same with the V8 Coupe and Jensen likewise with the Interceptor, I don’t think anyone can really criticise Jaguar for doing something similar. Of course looking back now it is all a bit academic with the E-Types being the clear winners of the beauty pageant, XKR second and XJS a distant third.Sat insideWithin the cabin is where everything starts to become a matter of taste and just how snug you want to be. Squeeze yourself into an E-Type and you face two stunningly large dials for engine and road speed with a surprisingly modern looking long row of rocker switches mounted dead centre on the dash between you and your passenger. There is no getting away with one thing though, as comfortable as they are once installed, E-Types are tricky cars to enter and exit from with tiny doors and extremely wide sills. If mobility is at all an issue, the cruel truth is looking at one from the outside may be as close as you get.This is where the later XJS and XKR derivatives come into their own, as both offer far easier accessibility from their more conventional interior design. The XJS is still low slung, but with plenty of room up front for both driver and passenger with pleasantries like powerful heating and ventilation systems and in the convertible, an electric folding roof. The XKR coupe offers similar, this time being more modern again, marred just slightly by the Ford sourced console and switchgear which thankfully falls below your eye-line whilst on the move. Surprisingly all three do share one thing in common; perfectly placed elbow rests either side of the driver, and so time now to hit the road.
Engine and exhaust note
When you do turn the key it’s the E-Types and XKR that truly deliver. Depending on which model you plump for depends on just how aural your experience is, as the Great Escape Classic Car Hire E-Types come with 5.3 V12 and smaller 6 cylinder engines with and without sports exhausts fitted. Volume levels therefore range from 1 to 10. The XKR has its own glorious sound in the form of a Jaguar V8 power-plant that rewards at tick-over with a distinctive throb giving way to the shrill of its supercharger as the loud pedal is fully depressed. Both are truly inspiring and completely different. The XJS on the other hand is much more ‘grace’ and the sleeper of the three as its V12 is almost completely silent until pushed really hard, with the only noise generated being that of wind passing quickly overhead when the roof is down.
Out and about
If you are after a relaxing and classy jolt around the countryside with something extra on tap if required then the XJS might just be for you. This car by its very nature is grace personified, combined with easy entry and exit as well as a heater so powerful you could probably drive to the north-pole roof down. The XKR takes away some of that grace and replaces it with much more pace, courtesy of its 4.0litre blown V8 that at 370bhp and 387 lbs/ft of torque is enough to see off any hot hatch and most other things up to Porsche, Ferrari and TVR standards. This car is extremely quick on fast flowing roads only needing to slow on tighter sections, largely due to its bulky 1700kg mass.E-Types on the other hand are lithe machines, particularly in 4.2 litre guise, and can be hustled along any road at any speed in relative comfort. The absence of body roll combined with comfort over virtually any road surface is a revelation with the only constraints being the car’s systems, such as the heater and fit of the roof around the windscreen, if a convertible. There is also the mild inconvenience of exhaust fumes being sucked into the cabin in the coupes, meaning a stop every 60 minutes or so is essential to preventing brain fade.
Ownership prospects
This is really a question about available funds, or maybe a gap that needs filling if you have a collection. The good news is that space aside, all three cars fulfil the ethos of grace and pace and so allow you to enjoy Jaguar ownership as its owner intended. E-Types provide the ultimate in classic car ownership in everything that means. Whilst XJS’s are now gaining recognition in their role in providing a basic platform for the later XK8, XKR and Aston Martin DB7 models and respected all the more for that with prices holding firm. XKR’s are now looking remarkable value for money for a car that is quite simply bonkers fast with an uncanny ability to cruise all day long at high speed. Each has something to offer, and so all three are cars Sir William should be, and I’m sure would be, extremely proud of.
Overall
An E-Type offers the ultimate in classic car ownership; the squarer XJS is for those on a tighter budget or for anyone who doesn’t quite bend and flex as well as they used to and the XKR serves as a useful halfway house both in terms of its looks and the investment required whilst providing serious pace to boot.
Driving
E Type - Incredible balance of cross country pace and grace, truly amazing for a 50 year old car
XJS - More grace than pace and so the XJS is by far the most refined of the three here
XKR - A supercharged V8 ensures this car wins the pace race, once the auto-box has done its thing
Engine
E Type -4.2 litre 6 Cylinder DOHC or 5.3 litre SOHC V12
XJS - 5.3 litre SOHC V12 with Lucas fuel injection
XKR - Supercharged 4.0 litre Quad Cam V8BrakesDisc brakes front and rear work well
Handling
E Type - Flat with hardly any roll, can be driven anywhere and rewards at any pace
XJS - Soft and cosy, best driven at a gentle pace
XKR - Comes close to E-Type but cannot hide its 1700kg mass in tighter corners
Desirability
All E-Types are sought after cars, Series 1 convertibles commanding the highest values, with later 2+2 coupes being the most affordable
XJS -Has suffered in the past but prices have now settled with interest on the increase
XKR - Just starting to be of interest now especially when compared to its higher valued cousin, the DB7.
Pro’s
E Type - Instantly recognisable fame
XJS - Accessible to more people and can be used all year round
XKR - Rocketship with some nice E-Type styling cues
Con’s
E Type
Buying: Tricky and potentially very costly to maintain
Renting: None
XJS
Buying: Not so tricky maybe, but still potentially costly to run and maintain
Renting: None
XKR
Buying: Same.
Renting: None
Overall
E Type - 5/5
XJS - 3/5
XKR - 4/5

Choosing the right E Type

Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster v’s V12 Coupe v’s 4.2 Coupe

by Matt Nichols

Comparing three Jaguar E-Types from Great Escape Classic Car Hire is a bit like choosing from the menu at your favourite restaurant. You already know you’re going to have a memorable meal you just have to make your final decision on exactly what it is going to be. In our case a classy white Series 3 V12 roadster, Series 2 Coupe with a 4.2 litre Jaguar straight six engine looking absolutely stunning in red, and the rather menacing dark blue Series 3 Coupe with a later fuel injected XJS V12.

First impressions

Other than all being E-Types, which of course guarantees your full attention from the off, my eye is most drawn to the two coupes with their distinctive roofline and intriguing sideways opening rear hatch. Of the two it’s the red series 2 car that wins, being an absolute stunner in its bright red paint and red leather interior along with distinctive triple wiper blades. The midnight blue car looks far more aggressive, something that only gets confirmed when the engine is started waking everything within a mile radius courtesy of the quad tail pipe exhausts. The roadster is the least dramatic but looks ever so classy in white with its contrasting black leather interior. Get up close and peer inside and you find that all three cars have the same steering wheel, dashboard and related switchgear, not to mention wide sills and narrow door openings in which to squeeze through to get in, despite all three cars being based on the longer 2+2 platform. Early 2 seat cars must be really tricky to get in and out of.

Sat inside

Once installed, and without the engine running, the cars have a very similar ambiance; the Series 2 Coupe being completely enclosed, Series 3 Coupe slightly more open with its Webasto sunroof and Series 3 roadster literally with the sky as the limit. The most comfortable of the three is the Series 2 Coupe following some recent fettling, with all three having the same well placed arms rests on the doors and central consul between the driver and passenger seats. My only gripe is that there is nowhere to park your left leg once clutch duties have been dispensed with. I do however love the large analogue dials that relay messages about on your speed and engine rpm as well as the long line-up of switches in the centre of the car for everything from side lights to map light and washers to wipers. The two main light switches are also separately encased and bang in the middle of the dash with the wiper/washer switches immediately to the right, so that all the primary controls are easy to locate even in the dark, clever stuff.

Engine and exhaust note

Turn the key in the dark blue late series V12 coupe and it sounds as though you are on the start-line at the Goodwood Revival, such is the intensity of noise echoing all around you. The Series 2 Coupe follows this with its own slightly tamer, but still very appealing 6 cylinder growl, whilst the white roadster is as quiet as a mouse by comparison despite also packing a V12. As all three sound so different it would appear that you can ask your E-Type to play any tune you like by picking the appropriate pipes for it to play through, something that is worth keeping in mind.

Out and about

Driving the three cars is where further similarities are confirmed, such as the long narrow bonnet, peachy handling, decent brakes and absence of any body roll. The latter point catches me out every time I take the wheel of one these outstanding British classics. No body roll and yet a cosseting ride that is kind to its occupants over road imperfections, speed bumps and other related disturbances. How did they do that, as it is unbelievably good? The differences that do come into play are all based on your final choice from the menu in that restaurant. Maybe you played it safe with a traditional roast or in this case the roadster which offers a lovely relaxing ride with the wind whistling through your hair as you navigate from place to place at a gentle pace. Or were you tempted instead by a special from the board and pleased to discover that the Series 2 Coupe with its smaller 4.2 litre engine satisfies in equal measure to the V12 roadster bringing with it an increased deftness born out of the lighter lump up front. If not then did the spiced prawns get you drooling, as you donned your race overalls and charged away in the Series 3 Coupe with its more powerful XJS V12 engine and angry cry from the four exhaust pipes that exit the rear of the car? Leaving the other two cars and for that matter pretty much everything else on the road at the same time trembling in your wake whilst struggling to keep within the speed limits

Ownership prospects

Jaguar E-Types have always represented a significant investment of anyone’s time and money, particularly given their quirky construction, and arguably increasingly so these days with advancing years. Cream of the crop are series 1 roadsters commanding the highest values with Series 2 Coupes in 2+2 guise offering the best opportunity for an entry level purchase. In terms of driving experiences I’m yet to have a poor one, so if in you’re in the market I think just get the best car you can for the money so you can spend as much time as possible enjoying it, without getting too hung up on precisely which model it is. After all, they are all priceless gems really and great menu choices.

Overall

Offering the ultimate in classic car ownership experience E-Types are instantly recognisable by virtually everyone who sees one. Roadster and coupe configurations mean you can choose what style of car to go for whether, fully open, fully closed or somewhere in between. Early series 1 roadsters are the most valuable, followed by 2 seat V12’s with 2+2’s bringing up the rear. Not that it matters particularly as all E-Types are truly wonderful places to be and in which to enjoy the great outdoors. Now where did I see that advert for a Series 2 Coupe in red with a tuned 4.2 litre engine for £25,000?

Driving

The smoothest of the three with excellent road manners and the bonus of open air motoring

Proves you don’t need a V12 delivering a lighter and nimble feel on the road

Later XJS engine and performance exhaust combine to make a thrilling proposition

Engine

5.3 litre SOHC V12 with four Zenith-Stromberg carburettors

4.2 litre DOHC Straight 6 with either twin Stromberg (US) or triple SU’s (UK)

5.3 litre SOHC V12 with Lucas fuel injection

Brakes

Disc brakes front and rear work well

Handling

Smooth and refined

Light and nimble

Exhaust noise accentuates its natural race car feel

Desirability

Series 3 V12 Roadsters are up there and only behind series 1 cars in terms of value

Lowest of all E-Type values in 2+2 form although still appeals

All V12 E-Types are sought after cars although the later engine in this car may divide opinion

Pro’s

All E-Types are universally revered with V12 roadster values holding strong

Great entry into E-Type ownership with the smaller engine giving nothing away to the heavier V12’s

Fairly unique racing E-Type for the road, truly awesome

Con’s

Buying: Tricky and potentially very costly to maintain Renting: None

Overall

5/5

5/5

5/5