Additional versions of the E-type and Mk. X, with 4.2-litre engines and all-syncromesh gearboxes, have been announced. To enlarge the 3.8-litre engine it has been necessary to re-locate the cylinders; bore has gone up from 87 mm. to 92.07 mm., the stroke remaining at 106 mm. The crankshaft has, of course, had to be altered, and this is claimed to be stiffer, with thicker webs, redisposed balance weights and a new vibration damper. The intake manifold has been modified, but three S.U. carburetters are retained. The dynamo has been replaced by a Lucas II A.C. alternator and the starter is of the pre-engaged type for better winter starting. The new gearbox has interior lock baulk rings and drives through a Laycock 10-in. diaphragm spring clutch. The E-type also has new seats, designed to give better support in the small of the back. The Mk. X has a new power steering system called " Varamatic " which varies the steering ratio, giving low gearing around the straight ahead position and high gearing towards the end of the lock; there are 2', turns lock-to-lock. The 4.2 Mk. X is fitted with the latest Borg-Warner automatic transmission, giving the driver the means to select all three forward ratios manually if required.
We have been able to sample both new models briefly and it can be said that the new gearbox is a great advance, with faultless syncromesh and greatly reduced noise level. It was not possible to detect any improvement in acceleration without a stop-watch, but the 4.2 engine seems quieter than the 3.8. The E-type seats are a vast improvement, although leg room is reduced slightly, while the brakes are also improved due to the use of a new booster. The Mk. X now has much safer steering and the automatic transmission is much more enjoyable. A full road test of the 4.2 E-type is scheduled for an early issue. The 4.2 E-type costs £1,896 4s. 7d. for the open model and £1,992 17s. 11d. for the fixed-head, and the Mk. X costs £2,156 0s. 5d. The rest of the Jaguar range remains unchanged as the 4.2-litre models are additional to their 3.8-litre counterparts.
(October '64)

Jaguar E-Type "Lightweight", chassis #S850662, engine: 3.781 cc. (Peter Lindner / Peter Nocker) at 24h Le Mans, Peter Lindner.

Jaguar E-Type "Lightweight", chassis #S850663, engine: 3.781 cc. (Peter Sargent / Peter Lumsden) at 24h Le Mans, P. J. Sargent.