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History of the Jaguar E-Type

Few automobiles can lay claim to the iconic status achieved by the Jaguar E-Type during the 14 years it was produced from 1961 to 1975. This sleek and stylish British sports car has truly stood the test of time; it is every bit as (if not more) fascinating and exciting in 2014 as it was when the last one was made nearly 40 years ago.

In 2011, the UK publication The Telegraph announced that the E-Type (known as the XKE in the US) had been named the most beautiful automobile ever made, ahead of various types of Ferraris, Aston Martins, and other Jaguar models. Enzo Ferrari, who knew a thing or two about crafting alluring sports cars, was said to have expressed the same sentiment about the E-Type when it debuted back in 1961.

Love at First Sight

The impression the E-Type left on the automobile industry was immediate and indelible. The E-Type turned heads from the moment it exploded onto the scene at the Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland in March 1961; Jaguar reportedly sold about 500 of them as a result of its presence at that Geneva show.

A month later, in April 1961, the E-Type made its first appearance in the US at the New York International Auto Show. Allegedly, six of them were sold in the first half hour, including one to crooner Frank Sinatra. According to legend, Ol’ Blue Eyes said he wanted an E-Type immediately upon first seeing it.

So, what was it about the E-Type that made it so desirable?

• Exterior design. The E-Type’s simplistic yet distinctive design, created by aerodynamics engineer Malcolm Sayer, featured a curvy body shape and an oval face that made it visually striking. Even to this day the E-Type consistently places at or near the top of many “most beautiful cars” lists.
• Speed. The 1961 E-Type topped out at 150 mph, which rivaled the Ferrari and the Aston Martin as the fastest car in the world at the time. It also handled and performed well, especially for a fast car.
• Price. The first E-Type models (both the roadster and the coupe) sold for less than $6,000 in the US, which was roughly half the cost of a Ferrari or Aston Martin in 1961.

The Need for Speed

The E-Type was the successor to Jaguar’s C-Type and D-Type models, both of which had achieved notoriety on the professional racing circuit with a series of victories (including several in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France in the 1950s). Jaguar sports cars were already well known for their speed, so designers wanted to continue this custom with the E-Type.

Since its predecessors were both racecars, the E-Type was meant to be fast. The first E-Type had a six-cylinder, 3.8 liter engine with a horsepower of 265, which gave it a top speed of 150 mph. It could accelerate from zero to 60 in less than seven seconds, which was blazingly fast for that time period. In 1964, the engine displacement increased to 4.2 liters.

Changes Through the Years

Emissions and safety regulations that came about in the late 1960s forced Jaguar to make some changes to the E-Type design. Most of these changes were minor; probably the most significant modification was the removal of the glass covers on the headlights in favor of the “open headlight” style. Other features had to be enlarged for safety purposes, such as taillights, turn signal lights, parking lights, and brakes. The Series 2 E-Type, which debuted in 1969, had a reduced engine horsepower and as a result was not as powerful as previous E-Type models.

The car’s original power was restored in 1971 when the Series 3 E-Type was introduced and included a V-12 engine. By this time, air conditioning was a staple in E-Types, and a more luxurious interior indicated that the E-Type was moving away from its racecar roots. The E-Type remained competitively priced when compared with other sports cars, even in its final years of production. In 1975, the E-Type’s last year, it sold for about $7,600.

Legacy

The Jaguar E-Type remains one of the most recognizable sports car brands in the world. About 70,000 of them were sold during its 14-year run. The E-Type has been featured in many TV shows and movies, probably most notably in Austin Powers where the titular character, played by Mike Myers, drove an E-Type roadster dubbed the “Shaguar” with a Union Jack painted on the hood.

The potency of the E-Type was undeniable, as actor Steve McQueen found out on one occasion in the mid-1960s in London. McQueen, who was known for owning a variety of fast cars and motorcycles, once test drove a borrowed Jaguar E-Type on the streets surrounding the grand Savoy Hotel where he was booked for a four-day stay. After accounts of McQueen’s wild and reckless excursion in the E-Type on the narrow streets of central London appeared in several British newspapers the next day, McQueen was reportedly evicted from the hotel.

The Sequel

In 2013, almost 40 years after the last E-Type was manufactured, Jaguar rolled out the E-Type’s successor, known as the F-Type. The Jaguar F-Type has carried on the tradition started by the E-Type over 50 years earlier by offering a smooth, speedy, thrilling, ride at a price that can hold its own against that of any luxury sports car.

History of the Jaguar F-Type

British automobile manufacturer Jaguar ended a nearly 40-year wait in the summer of 2012 when it made a triumphant re-entry into the luxury sports car market with the initial version of its stunning F-Type model. The F-Type was billed as the long awaited successor to Jaguar’s iconic E-Type, which was last manufactured in 1975.

The E-Type was a tough act to follow; after all, it is one of the most recognizable sports car brands in all the world. When it was first introduced in 1961, legendary Italian automaker Enzo Ferrari was reported to have called the Jaguar E-Type the most beautiful automobile that had ever been made.

Jaguar’s F-Type is a two-seater that more closely resembles their C-X16 model (a hybrid that was introduced just a year before the F-Type in 2011) than it does the E-Type of yesteryear. What Jaguar accomplished with the F-Type was a model that captures the look and feel of a true luxury sports car without diminishing or simply making a carbon copy of its famous predecessor; a true luxury sports car that can compete with Porsche’s 911 and Boxster models for market share.

Those who behold the majestic style and experience the sheer power of the F-Type believe it to be a worthy heir to the E-Type’s throne. After two highly successful years on the market for the F-Type, it is now entering its third year of production. The F-Type’s 2015 models are already on the market.

Introduction of the Jaguar F-Type

The world first saw the 2013 Jaguar F-Type when it was introduced at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The car is sleek and lightweight (it’s made of aluminum) but also extremely powerful – even the most basic F-Type model features a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 340 horsepower engine that can accelerate from zero to 60 in 5.1 seconds. For the first year, 2013, Jaguar offered an upgraded “S” model of the F-Type that gave buyers the option to add even more power to their engine: 3.0 liter V6 380 horsepower or 5.0 liter V8 495 horsepower.

For the sophomore model of the F-Type the following year, Jaguar expanded the options by offering even more models of the F-Type:

• The 2014 F-Type became available in both convertible and coupe models. Only convertible models of the 2013 version were made.
• In addition to basic and S models of the F-Type coupe, Jaguar introduced an R model coupe with an even more powerful engine. The F-Type R features a V8 550 horsepower motor that can go from zero to 60 in a mere four seconds.

What Makes the F-Type Unique?

When the lowest engine horsepower offered is 340, you know that a drive in a Jaguar F-Type is going to be a thrill ride. The roaring, high-performance engines of the F-Type have made it a force to be reckoned with in the luxury sports car market since its inception two years ago.

One of the F-Type’s unique features is a lightning quick, smooth, eight speed automatic transmission with an intelligent control system that carefully selects which gear to use based on the driving situation. Here are a few other features that make the F-Type a world class luxury ride:

• A front splitter to manage the airflow beneath the car.
• A deployable spoiler that automatically rises when the car accelerates to higher speeds, reducing lift by up to 265 pounds.
• Deployable door handles that retract when not in use.
• A smooth leather interior, making it a tantalizingly comfortable ride.
• An adaptive lighting system that will automatically switch between high and low beam, depending on the driving situation.
• For coupe models, buyers can choose a panoramic glass roof that can add more natural light to the interior of the car.
• For convertible models, the top is made of light, compact fabric that can be raised or lowered in as little as 12 seconds when driving 30 miles an hour or less. The top is available in four colors and is especially designed to cut down on noise produced by wind and the road.

Safety Features

Jaguar has taken extra steps to add the latest in safety and security features to all models of the 2015 F-Type. One of the safety features available to the buyer is an optional Vision Pack that includes:

• A blind spot monitor that warns you via a diagram in your exterior rear view mirror when another vehicle is approaching in your blind spot.
• A closing vehicle sensing feature that alerts you when changing lanes might be more dangerous based on the speeds of approaching vehicles.
• Parking aids, both front and rear, that audibly alert you when you are approaching an object while parking the car.
• Reverse traffic detection, which warns you via a radar system when another vehicle is crossing your path while you are backing up.

Other safety features available include two front airbags and two side airbags that deploy appropriately by using sensors to detect the size and weight of the driver and passenger.

The Price of the Jaguar F-Type

All 2015 models of the Jaguar F-Type have an MSRP of less than $100,000. The basic coupe model of the F-Type carries with it an MSRP starting at $65,000, while the MSRP of the basic convertible F-Type starts at $69,000. For the F-Types with the V8 engines, the coupe S model’s MSRP starts at $92,000 while the MSRP for the V8 R model begins at $99,000, which is the highest base MSRP of any F-Type model.

Why Choose Top Line Diagnostics

Virtually every auto repair mechanic is going to tell you that they are “The best of the best” and “Your most reliable option.” In fact, we know a lot of people who are just sick of hearing that from auto repair mechanics; people who just want to get in and get out. That’s understandable, given much of our competition. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the prime reasons we aren’t just another group of mechanics who want to sell you car repair for the sake of monetary gain. We’re going to discuss our mission, our vision, and our passion for Jaguar cars, and how we would be doing nothing different with our time if this business didn’t exist.

Top Line Diagnostics Is Jaguar Specific

With Top Line Diagnostics, you get specified services that were crafted around your car. We aren’t generic, and we haven’t offered a generic service since we started. We’re actually just genuine, making the most out of every repair we do, and taking great pains in making sure your Jaguar is running properly. We don’t cut corners, and we aren’t willing to give you back your Jaguar unless everything you specified has been completed. We have a passion for Jaguars that goes far beyond making money, and we prove it with every repair we do.

Other Auto Repair Shops Take Jaguars To Us

When you take your Jaguar to any other repair shop in the area, you’re most likely getting our services, only with a higher price attached to them. Many of the cars we service aren’t from our customers, but customers of another repair shop in the area who doesn’t know how to solve a problem on your Jaguar. When you take your car directly to us, you can skip the middleman completely, and save money in the process.

Jaguars Are Different

When non-Jaguar-specific auto repair specialists work on Jaguars, we cringe. Jaguars are made very differently than other cars. They are one of the only cars on the market that have a very significant difference in how they’re made. Because of this, auto repair mechanics are sometimes inexperienced with Jaguars because of their rarity, and don’t have the ability to repair like we do. We want to see your Jaguar perform at the top of it’s category, and we are prepared to make that happen for you.

3 Ways to Get The Most Out Of Your Jaguar

Many people buy a luxury vehicle and don’t end up getting the most out of it. Either they are unaware of the ability of their vehicle, or they are inexperienced with newer technology and don’t bother to try. We see this time and time again, and it’s sad to see. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the best ways to find the hidden details of your Jaguar. Here at Top Line Diagnostics, we want you to experience the full range of features that your Jaguar has to offer and we’re passionate about sharing those features with you. Here’s how you can get the most out of your Jaguar.

1. Read Your Owners Manual

Yeah we know, elementary, right? How many people actually read their owners manual these days? Not enough, actually. It might be less important on a 93 Ford Ranger that’s been passed around for 20 years, but a luxury vehicle is different. In a luxury vehicle, defined and designed to break the conventional standards of excellence and far exceed them, you’ve got a completely different animal in your hands. It’s best to make sure you know exactly what that animal can do, and reading your owner’s manual is one of the best ways you can do that. We promise it won’t be too painful.

2. Keep Yourself Up-To-Date with Your Warranty and Service Information

It always puts the mind at ease when you know that you’re covered. In the case of an accident, breakdown, theft, or any other problem you may experience with your Jaguar, it’s nice to know what you’re covered with. Peace of mind is something that the folks at Jaguar pride themselves in providing. Today, each new Jaguar comes with complimentary warranties and services that will do your mind good in the case that you need them.

3. Listen To Your Servicemen

Last and certainly not least, listen to your Jaguar auto repair mechanics.  When it comes to your Jaguar, no one knows it better than them. You would do well to listen to their advice, and even ask for it regarding subjects you have questions about. At Top Line Diagnostics, we’re passionate about Jaguar in a way that our competitors for Jaguar repair just aren’t. We service only Jaguars, and would be happy to answer any questions you have about them.

Jaguar; Superior Cars For Over 90 Years

As a Jaguar-specific auto repair shop, Top Line Diagnostics wants to share with you some of the reasons we are passionate about Jaguars. Ever wonder why Jaguars are made very differently than most other vehicles on the market? There are reasons that aren’t just about a different manufacturer. Jaguars of ages past through today have featured safety and reliability standards that no other car manufacturer on the planet shares with us. The way Jaguar does things is different than anyone else, and today, we’re going to capitalize on some of those differences. At Top Line Diagnostics, we’re passionate about these things, and we think you should be too.

Attention To Detail

Over 90 years ago, the creators and masterminds behind the Jaguar were doing the same things that the owners, directors of operations, and inspectors are doing today; poring over every vehicle thousands of times before it is released to the market. They work to make sure that every detail, every inch of that luxury vehicle is quite literally perfect.

Grant McPherson, director of operations at the Jaguar production lines put it like this:

“Jaguar has always stood for engineering excellence and beautiful design. Our role is to deliver the team’s design intention, every time with every car. It’s our job to achieve a strict specification and, for me, quality is the ability to repeatedly achieve that specification. It’s that attention to detail that we instill here. We’re building luxury cars.”

Safety

Jaguar is rated among the top contenders for the top spot in safety ratings. From car accidents to usability, the Jaguar is easily one of the safest machines on the road. At Jaguar, they’ve always put an emphasis on not just adhering to standards already created by other car manufacturers, they created their own; one that specifically applied to Jaguar. This standard entails a close attention to detail, and a concentration on a cohesive vehicle protection system that is built into every Jaguar.

Reliability

On top of being rated at some of the safest and most beloved cars in the world, Jaguars also sport a reliability rating that trumps many of its competitors. With warranties for your convenience, and specific to the car and your needs, you can rest assured that Jaguar makes a car you can trust.

When it comes to Jaguar repair, the professionals at Top Line Diagnostics don’t take their jobs lightly. We are passionate about all things relate to Jaguar, and we make that very clear with our service.

The Jaguar F-Type; Crafted for Incredible Performance

Before you vote on the best sounding engine of the year, you might want to take a minute to examine the 2014 Jaguar F-Type. Yeah we know what you’re thinking, the last Jaguar sports model came out 50 years ago; what are you talking about? We’re talking about one of the greatest cars to have ever come out, the amazing 2014 Jaguar F-Type V8 S.

Specifications

Weighing in at about 3,500 lbs., and possessing the prestigious ability of an incredible 495 Hp, this Jaguar is a true sports car in every sense of the word. That’s right, folks, this isn’t some 2 door with some power, this car was engineered with speed and agility in mind. The creators of Jaguar stated that this car was designed to be nimble and involving, and it really is just that. With an SC 5.0L V8 Engine, this powerhouse of mechanical brilliance makes mincemeat of the gravel as it travels over it. It features an 8-speed manual transmission that reviewers have raved about; speaking to it’s ability to act and breath much like you would expect a manual transmission experience to be. It can identify what you want through advanced detection technology and push this powerful machine in just the way you intend to. In this ride, you sit 20 mm lower than you do in the XKR-S, which gives you the feeling that you’re that much more a part of the vehicle as it tears up the pavement.

0-60 MPH in what?

Jaguar clocked in it’s 0-60 time at 4.2 seconds, but the testing of other users have clocked it in to as low as 3.9 seconds; speaking to the designing genius and mechanical ingenuity of the makers of this beautiful machine. This one is for the daring and the confident.

Body and Interior:

The bodywork on this beautiful piece of mechanical elegance is extravagant and new.  It’s made with a stark contrast from its predecessor in mind, and yet even with the differences, this vehicle still carries the marks of its traditional Jaguar design with pride. While retaining some of the more refined and older traits of past interior designs, the inside is a work of art in and of itself. Many times, chrome parts of the interior can prove to be annoying because of a glare, and in the Jaguar F-Type, there is very little chrome in the interior, retaining all of the marks of sophistication without any of the setbacks. This interior is designed around the needs and conveniences of the driver. There is a dynamic control operated by the touch-screen display that allows you to have completely control of the tuning of your engine, steering, transmission, and even suspension.

Our recommendation: don’t drive this vehicle on a weak stomach. This car is a stark contender for the widely acclaimed Porsche 911, and we think it may exceed even the highest rated sports cars in its class. You shouldn’t let just anyone do work on this one either. If you own one of these, seek out only professional Jaguar-exclusive repair options.

The History of the Jaguar

In 1922, the company that produces the highly respected vehicular machine known as Jaguar was just starting. Originally, they manufactured motorcycle side-cars only, and only later did they venture into the market for passenger cars. The original name for Jaguar was the Swallow Sidecar Company, and it was founded by Sir William Lyons. Because the name was often abbreviated as SS Company, after World War II the company officially re-branded themselves as Jaguar to exclude any acronyms that were associated with the unfavorable connotation with War-Time pains. This is their story.

The Early Years

In 1935, the name ‘Jaguar’ first appeared on a 2.5 litre Saloon sports models which included the SS 90, and the SS 100. These vehicles were the first that Jaguar produced by way of the passenger car. The company was started by two motorcycle enthusiasts who were attempting to make a name for themselves that included more than

In 1966, the company sold to the British Motor Corporation, which later became known as British Motor Holdings. In 1968, BMH merged with Leyland Motor Corporation and became British Leyland. They became nationalized in 1975.

Sports Car Success

Jaguar made a name for itself by selling a series of sports cars. These cars included the XK 120 of 1949, which then later developed into XK 140 and XK 150 as well as the E-Type of 1961. All of these were very successful and they perfectly embodied Lyons mantra “Value for Money. Jaguar’s sales slogan for many years was “Grace, Space, Pace.” This mantra was epitomized by the record sales of the MK series, and later the XJ6.

At that time, a company by the name of Pressed Steel Company Limited made all Jaguar’s bodies, leaving the installation and design of the engine and its parts up to Jaguar.

Things weren’t always smooth sailing for the young entrepreneur. Lyons drive for proper value for the money, and the current economic troubles of the time didn’t fit well together. One startling development forced Lyon to sell his company to British Motor Holdings, although he broke out from them and experienced a brief period of independence after that.

Under New Management

After the installation of a new chairman, whose name was Sir. John Egan, the prices for Jaguars went up. This chairman tackled problems like poor quality control, lagging delivery schedules, and poor productivity. He laid off one third of the 10,000 employees they had for the sake of cutting costs, and raised the general prices of the Jaguars being sold. However, this price increase was masked by the relative success American’s were experiencing on their side of the world.

Eventually, Jaguar became so successful that Ford offered to buy their shares in November of 1989. Under Ford’s management, Jaguar expanded its product line and improved their vehicles year after year. Since then, Jaguar has been a hallmark of Class A vehicles that only Jaguar can produce, and only certified Jaguar Repair Specialists can repair.

(Photo courtesy of Mark B-Flickr.com)

Winterizing Your Car

It’s that time of year again, and everything in your world is about to become just a bit nippier, colder, and icier! Before winter even officially started, many parts of the country have experienced biting frost, ice, and snow. Although this isn’t necessarily uncommon, it’s important to note that every year, people all over the country aren’t fully equipped to handle icy conditions, and in the long run, don’t know much about how to prepare themselves, or their car for the icy winter roads. There are, however, methods that help keep you out of danger, and because of these methods you can rest easier knowing that your chances of braving the snow and ice this winter are now leaning more in your favor.

What You Need In Your Vehicle

As far as what your vehicle holds in it, here are some things you’d do well to keep with you at all times, if possible.

Water

An Enclosed container of water in the back of your vehicle can be a good safety net for ice. Having water with you can help melt ice off of doors, tires, and handles. This can be an important factor to getting to work on time.

Ice Scrapper

Keep an ice scrapper in your car. It’s a requirement to living in icy conditions. Really, they aren’t that expensive, and they won’t take up much room at all. An ice scraper not only keeps you from danger, but you can use it to help others in need of it as well.

Lighters

With a couple lighters, you can protect yourself from the cold if there are ever any extenuating circumstances that require you to light a fire. They’re also just really handy to have.

Kitty Litter

Yes, the rumors are true. If you can keep a small bag of the stuff with you, you can use it as traction when getting yourself out of a ditch. Pretty useful stuff.

Check Your Tires

Speaking of traction, the most pivotal part of your ability to even have traction in the first place is in the condition of your tires. Be sure those four big rubber things at the corners of your vehicle have at least half a penny’s length worth of traction on them. For larger vehicles, you may need even more. It all depends on the weight distribution of the vehicle you drive. Either way, checking your tires is crucial to being at peace about any upcoming snow-driving you may be doing later in the year.

Check Your Brakes

Make sure those brakes are in good condition too! Your ABS brakes are pivotal in snowy and icy weather, and your brake pads should be in relatively new condition to handle the extra strain of stopping on a road that doesn’t grip your tires. To keep you and your family safe, those brakes have to be good BEFORE and ice storm approaches. Give reputable Jaguar professionals a call to get your brakes, tires, and fluid levels checked before the weather gets too bad this winter!

(Photo courtesy-of-Hey-Paul-Flickr)

Exclusive Service Is Always Better

Exclusive Service Is Always Better

In the age of the automobile, industries for repair and tune up have arisen everywhere with each model of vehicle. Each vehicle, having a different design, is going to be differently serviced and specifically made to run a specific way. For that reason, many different repair shops are either unable to repair a select few brands, or are exclusive to one. This inconsistency is a key factor to understanding Jaguar repair.

Jaguars are a part of that exclusive niche that makes them special. They are made to run completely differently than most other vehicles, and the quality that comes from their exclusivity is not to go unnoticed. Still, many repair services and garages aren’t able to service Jaguars due to their complexity and originality. Today, we’re going to discuss why this exclusivity is good, and why investing into a jaguar is ultimately a good investment because of this exclusiveness they hold in the industry.

The Jaguar: Elegant and Exclusive

For years, automobiles have been hailed as complicated machines, and they are only getting more so each day. With all of the rising changes in technology, the need has arisen for repair workers of these vehicles to be knowledgeable about the job they had to perform. For many, this was not a problem, and for some dishonest services, going the extra mile for the Jag was too much work. TopLine Diagnostics is one of the only Jaguar specific repair services in the nation, and the work they have provided over the years is completely unparalleled in the industry. This exclusivity allows for a niche of quality to arise in the industry where there wouldn’t have been had Jags not been more complicated than other vehicles to repair. This means that when you choose to invest into maintenance for your vehicle, the cost of repair will be more than mitigated by the quality workmanship going into your vehicle.

The Specialty of Jaguar Servicemen

Another point to consider is that of the perspective of the repair-person. The Jaguar industry is so specific, one wouldn’t enter into it without a drive for excellence. Chances are, when you invest into quality Jaguar services, you’re going to get a company with integrity and abilities unlike the competition simply because of the vehicle that you own! With Jag repair, you have to be careful about who you send it to, but once you’ve found a trustworthy and reliable source for repairs, you can comfortably stick with them.

The exclusivity of TopLine Diagnostics has lent customers the ability to receive quality repairs and tune ups. That ability is rare in any vehicle repair service, and with the added dedication that we provide with our vehicle repairs, you can rest in complete assurance that your Jag is being taken care of completely.