This view of the partially disassembled passenger compartment shows some important features. Note the placement of the brake and accelerator pedals, facilitating heel-and-toe footwork. There are six spare spark plugs on the sill beside the driver. Le Mans cars were only allowed to use spares carried on-board. The transmission is a four speed, essentially identical to the street cars. The 160 MPH speedometer would look at home on an E-Type. Removed in this photo is the 8000 RPM tachometer. Redline was set at 6500 for this car. Note the high sill and cramped accommodations, a result of the space frame design. The space frame is made of rectangular section components behind the driver, the upright members behind the seat are spanned by a steel diaphragm which doubles the stiffness of the entire frame. Door close is a simple rubber strap. Floors are covered with a silver Hardura, for insulation more than appearance. Elegant wooden steering wheel seems out of place on such a purposeful vehicle.

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About the author - Michael Frank is Vice President and Webmaster of the Jaguar Touring Club. His red 2+2 E-Type is a familiar sight at JCNA events in the Northeast. Currently, he is building a reproduction of the 1963 Cunningham Lightweight E-Type.

Copyright © 2001 Michael Frank, New York. All rights reserved.

Posted: 5/2001