Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster
Jaguar wrapped race-bred ideas, independent suspension and a powerful straight-six in a dramatic but surprisingly affordable grand tourer.
First production 1961 Jaguar E-Type open two-seater · DeFacto · CC BY-SA 4.0 International
Research pending
A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.
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More than a set of wheels.
Jaguar announced the E-Type on March 15, 1961 and offered it as both an open two-seater and a fixed-head coupé. This page follows the launch-year home-market open two-seater. Its 265 bhp figure is Jaguar's period gross rating, not a modern net measurement, and extraordinary early top-speed results came from selected test cars rather than every production example. The cover is the first production open two-seater, on loan to the Jaguar Heritage Collection.
Look a little closer.
Jaguar's launch price was less than half that of some exotic rivals, even though its construction borrowed lessons from the Le Mans-winning C-Type and D-Type racers.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Two kinds of structure working together
The passenger compartment is a load-bearing steel monocoque. A triangulated tubular front structure bolts to it and carries the engine, steering and front suspension beneath the forward-hinged bonnet.
Source: Motor Sport · The New 3.8-Litre Jaguar E-Type G.T. ↗Independent rear suspension and inboard brakes
Jaguar mounted the rear brakes beside the differential rather than at the wheels, reducing unsprung mass. The complete rear suspension assembly was isolated on rubber mounts, helping combine a comfortable ride with precise handling.
Source: Motor Sport · The New 3.8-Litre Jaguar E-Type G.T. ↗Where these facts come from
- Jaguar Classic · E-Type 60 Collection
- Motor Sport · The New 3.8-Litre Jaguar E-Type G.T.
- Motor Sport · 1961 road-test annual summary
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.