The E-Type debuted in 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show as a Fixed Head Coupe (FHC) and chassis 885005 was the first car shown to the press and public.

After extensive study and restoration of chassis 885005, it was found that the Fixed Head Coupe design was built and developed from the roadster monocoque tub. This allies with the story that Sir William Lyons chose to manufacture the Coupe late in the five-year development process.

The design was novel as it combined an hatchback design with a pure sports car. Aside from the obvious roof, another difference was slightly wider seats fitted to the Coupe models.

Other than the early prototypes, FHC production didn’t begun until a few months after roadster production and the first few Coupes were released to dealers in August of 1961 with production ramping up in December of 1961.

Total production of 3.8 coupes was 7,669 cars with just 1,798 made in right hand drive.². The first coupes made in 1961 and 1962 are different from later production cars by having early details such has outside hood latches, a fully spot-welded hood with a separate louvre panel. These cars were only sold to Jaguar dealer’s top customers and are highly sought after for this reason.

type	Series Production Car
built at	England
body stylist	Malcom Sayer, Bob Knight
engineers	Bill Heynes
production	7669
engine	Inline-6
position	Front, Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
ignition	Lucas Distributor & Coil
block material	Cast Iron w/Aluminum Cylinder Head
valvetrain	Chain-Driven DOHC
fuel feed	Tripple SU Carburetors, HD8 2
displacement	3781 cc / 230.73 in³
bore	87.0 mm / 3.425 in
stroke	106.0 mm / 4.1732 in
compression	9.0:1
power	197.6 kw / 265.0 bhp @ 5500 rpm
specific output	70.09 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	216.15 bhp per tonne
torque	352.5 nm / 260.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
body / frame	Unitary Steel MOnocoque w/Front Steel Subframe
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	72-Spoke Knock-Off Wire Wheels
front tires	6.40×15 Dunlop RS5
front brakes	Dunlop Discs w/Servo Assist
f brake size	9.5 x 279 mm / 0.375 x 11.0 in
rear brakes	Dunlop Discs w/Servo Assist
r brake size	9.5 x 254 mm / 0.375 x 10.0 in
front wheels	F 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in
rear wheels	R 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in
steering	Rack & Pinion
f suspension	Wishbones w/Torsion Bars, Hydrualic Telescopic Dampers
r suspension	Half Shafts w/Transverse Links, Twin Coil Springs, Hydrualic Telescopic Dampers
curb weight	1226 kg / 2700 lbs
wheelbase	2440 mm / 96.1 in
front track	1270 mm / 50.0 in
rear track	1270 mm / 50.0 in
length	4450 mm / 175.2 in
width	1660 mm / 65.4 in
height	1220 mm / 48.0 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
tran clutch	Borg & Beck 10
gear ratios	3.377:1, 1.860:1, 1.283:1, 1.00:1
final drive	3.31:1
top speed	~241.4 kph / 150.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~7.0 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~16.0 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~14.8 seconds
fuel capacity	63.5 litres