Jaguar E-Type Factory and Private Competition Cars

The racing E-type Jaguar emerged from the ambition of both the racing fraternity and Jaguar enthusiasts who wanted to take this iconic British sports car onto the track to see what it would do. With official (and sometimes unofficial) help from the factory, the E-type was continually developed and modified from almost the first week that the first production car left the factory. Recognised the world over, this beautiful aerodynamic car remains as popular today as it was in the 1960s. This fascinating book features period photographs and stories from the E-type’s early racing days, describes how the cars evolved, and gives details of the lightweights, semi-lightweights and factory specials, the Le Mans cars, the Modsports era, and the replica lightweight racing phenomena. The detailed appendices include lists of cars and drivers, book and magazine references. As the only book in its field to cover every aspect of the E-type’s competitive history from 1961 until the present day, the author redresses the balance to detail the 95% of cars usually overlooked. The reader will find hundreds of previously unseen photographs and new information, providing an invaluable source of material for anyone interested in this incredible sports car.

Table of Contents:
Forward * Introduction * Originality, Traceability and Values. * How cars have evolved * Early racing * Lightweights , semi Lightweights and Specials * The Magnificent Seven * The Le mans Cars * Modsports * E-Type challenge and the new Lightweights * E-types in rallying APPENDICES * The Cars .. a list of registration numbers * Cars with no registrations * List of drivers * Magazines with racing E-type articles * Magazine articles reproduced * Toys and Models * Suggested reading * Useful websites * Copies of race programs .... Covers and E-type grids

About the Author :
Peter is a retired chartered accountant with a lifelong passion for Jaguar motorcars – especially the E-type. He had his first Jaguar at the age of 18 and has owned nearly every model since, including several racing E-types. He was the Treasurer/Director of the Jaguar Drivers Club in the 1980s, as well as acting on the Events and Social Committee, and E-type register. He served as a race official at many Jaguar Club race meetings, and has written several articles for THE JAGUAR ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE, making him well-positioned to know first-hand the cars he has written about in this book.

Review :
Jaguar historians will love this, because outside of tis glossy, photo-heavy hardback format, it's essentially a series of records detailing the fate of every single racing Jaguar E-Type. The sheer number of cars involved means a densely-presented amount of data, but it's fascinating nonetheless. For such an iconic car, the story of the racing E-Types in general - rather than individual cars such as CUT 7 and the Linder-Nocker low-drag racer - hasn't enjoyed a dedicated book. Griffiths addresses this in his chronicle of British club racing - one that will be of significant use to the historic racing scene. - Classic Cars. There are good books, and then there are really good books. This book defiantly falls in the latter category. Author Peter Griffiths is a passionate E-Type owner and racing devotee, and all of that is evident from the moment you open this tome. The 224 pages are crammed with a life-time's worth of knowledge from the author, and it is all explained in a very readable stye. The amount of identification history, and mechanical specifications of particular cars is staggering. - The Jaguar Magazine. This comprehensive history of revolving around the Jaguar E-Type, and in particular its development as a competition car by 'privateers' (over 450 listed), fills a gap in this very busy section of the market and deserves a place on every enthusiast's bookshelf. - Retro Speed. This large format, profusely illustrated book covers such topics as early racing E-Types, the Lightweights, semi-Lightweights and Specials and perhaps the author's favourite era, that of the sometimes outrageous Modsports cars. xtraordinarily comprehensive indices occupy the whole of the second half of the book. Despite the wealth of literature already available on the E-Type Jaguar, Peter Griffiths' book covers much new ground. Invaluable to readers seeking information on individual cars, it's also one that no-one interested in the competition history of this iconic machine should be without. - Speedscene. If you have an interest in club motor sport, this book forms an ideal and charming account of the racing, rallying and pretty much all other activities privately owned E-Types got, and still get up to. The book drips with glorious retro images from venues such as Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Prescott. The world-beating names are still present, but punctuated by others like John Oxborough (who raced heavily modified versions), John Burbidge and Brian Spicer. The tracing of many of the original cars via their number plates shows the level of detail and research that's gone into it. One for the enthusiast. - Motor Sport. What sets this book apart is that it's about racing E-Types as a whole, not just Lightweights, or those driven by superstar drivers. To say that it's comprehensive is something of an understatement. Tracing the often-complex history of racers is no mean feat, and the level of detail and lists of racing E-Types - more than 450 in all - make this book a go-to resource in this respect, plus there's an index of the drivers that raced them. Page after page of wonderful period photographs and pictures - more than 400, in fact, many of which have never been published before - accompany this knowledgeable work, and its easy-to-read style means you don't feel bogged down by the many facts. It's unusual that the text is first person and, at times, subjective and anecdotal, but this simply serves as a reminder of the passion and enthusiasm behind it. - Classic & Sports Car. it's a good book ... If you like the club race scene, you'll love it. If you think your car had a competition history, the chances are it's in here. If it got stolen to reappear later on track there's an app(endix) for that, too. - Jaguar Journal. If your motorsports interest extends to the club level, this book has the added benefit of reminding you of people and place. – SpeedReaders.