Today’s iconic status of the Jaguar E-type means that owning one is now well beyond the means of all but the most well-heeled fans. On my eighteenth birthday in 1966 a friend of my father allowed me to drive his 4.2 2+2 E-type. I was blown away and promised myself that, one day, I would own an E-type. Eighteen is a great age but not one known to generate realistic hopes. So, is there hope for any lover of this icon who hasn’t yet won the lottery?
The Jaguar XK8 Series 1 (XK100), built between 1996 and 2005, is worth serious consideration. It looks like a E-type that has been worked on by a giant heat gun. They are more comfortable, more reliable, full of useful technology, handle better and just as quick.
Nice non-‘R’ examples are £12k. I treated myself to a late XK8 for my 65th birthday and two years on I don’t regret a single moment. It is one of the last coupés built and is an S version, so has sports suspension, Brembo brakes and Recaro seats. It can hit 60mph in less than seven seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph. Without a Sixties E-type to hand, I cannot comment on how my XK8 compares. For that I need a sympathetic owner.
Ray Ganderton
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