<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> As mentioned earlier the chassis of E2A followed the familiar pattern of the D-Type with a monocoque centre-section and a front subframe, which housed the suspension and engine. The difference was the use of the much cheaper and more durable steel instead of the lighter aluminium, as well as the incorporation of fully independent rear suspension. In accordance with the latest regulations, Jaguar fitted E2A with an all-aluminium three litre engine. Equipped with the highly advanced Lucas Fuel Injection system, it produced close to 300 bhp. The car was finished off with an aluminium body similar to the D-Type, although with only a little imagination the final shape of the E-Type road car could be distinguished.
Long time Jaguar privateer Briggs Cunningham was asked to run the car. Cunningham entered the car the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and sent over two of America's most talented drivers; Dan Gurney and Walt Hansgen. Liveried in American racing colours pioneered by Cunningham almost a decade earlier, E2A proved quick straight out of the box. Despite its heavier 'production' chassis, E2A clocked the second quickest time in practice. Thanks to Malcolm Sayer's efficient design complete with a gallant fin on the headrest, the Jaguar was believed to be the fastest car down the Mulsanne. In the race a split injector pipe caused delays early on and eventually E2A's retirement after the engine seized altogether.
For the American road racing season, E2A was fitted with a larger, D-Type engine. Once in the United States, Hansgen immediately score a victory, although in a minor race at Bridgehampton. He came very close to beating the much higher rated competition during the Road America 500, but eventually had to settle for second. For the prestigious Los Angeles Times Grand Prix at Riverside, Cunningham called in the service of newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Jack Brabham. He struggled to keep up with the lightweight specials and eventually finished 10th. His Cooper team-mate Bruce McLaren was handed E2A next for the Laguna Seca Pacific Grand Prix. Plagued with small problems, he could do no better than 12th in one of the two heats. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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As mentioned earlier the chassis of E2A followed the familiar pattern of the D-Type with a monocoque centre-section and a front subframe, which housed the suspension and engine. The difference was the use of the much cheaper and more durable steel instead of the lighter aluminium, as well as the incorporation of fully independent rear suspension. In accordance with the latest regulations, Jaguar fitted E2A with an all-aluminium three litre engine. Equipped with the highly advanced Lucas Fuel Injection system, it produced close to 300 bhp. The car was finished off with an aluminium body similar to the D-Type, although with only a little imagination the final shape of the E-Type road car could be distinguished.