Jaguar E2A Le Mans Racing Prototype 1960
By 1960 Jaguar had won the world’s most prestigious motor race, the Le Mans 24-Hours, five times; twice with its original competition-tailored C-Type and three times with the tail-finned D-Type. At that juncture, company head Sir William Lyons had decreed that it was time for this phenomenal sporting pedigree to benefit production with an all-new semi-monocoque chassis design which was to emerge in 1961 as the now legendary Jaguar E-Type.
One prototype for this model – the ‘missing link’ between D-Type and E-Type – emerged as ‘E2A’, a powerful fuel-injected 3-liter sports-racing two-seater that was to be raced by famous American sportsman Briggs Cunningham’s experienced team at Le Mans in 1960.
The new ‘E2A’ was to test several features of the forthcoming E-Type production model, not least its independent rear suspension system in place of the live-axle featured in both the C-Type and D-Type designs. Visually the new car’s contemporarily tail-finned rear bodywork recalled the charismatic D-Type, while its handsomely proportioned one-piece forward bodywork presaged the lovely lines of the forthcoming E-Type.
The Jaguar experimental department at Brown’s Lane, Coventry, completed the car in February 1960, powered by an aluminum-block fuel-injected 3-liter 6-cylinder engine. It was subsequently finished for the Cunningham team in their famous American racing colors, white overall with two parallel centerline stripes in dark blue.
In the 1960 edition of Le Mans 24-Hours, that June, Cunningham entrusted this unique beauty to the incredibly strong driver pairing of the contemporary BRM Formula 1 team’s ex-Ferrari star Dan Gurney and veteran multiple SCCA Champion Walt Hansgen.
Altough with 30 kg (66 lb) more weight compared to its opposotion , E2A showed itself very competitive during practice before it was damaged in a heavy collision with a Ferrari , and needed extensive front end repairs. The car showed well in the race until a split fuel injection pipe caused the mixture to run weak, leading to burned pistons and ultimately a blown gasket.
The Jaguar E2A Le Mans Sports Racing Prototype -Registered VKV 752, Chassis n° E2A Engine n° E5028-10 3,8 Litre - was sold for US$ 4,957,000 at Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction in 2008.
The car in exhibit in this article was pictured at 2010 Classic Le Mans .
source Bonhams Auction Archives - Quentin Spurring Le Mans 1960-1969
Wallpapers : Jaguar E2A Le Mans Racing Prototype 1960 (click on image to enlarge)
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