It certainly feels extremely fit and strong on the road, with torque everywhere and the ability to lunge up to three-figure speeds on a short straight without breaking a sweat.
Compact, comfortable and relatively refined, it is a cogent reminder of how good E-types were – and still are. You could pay three times the money and still not get something as fast and capable in the mid-’60s.
In many ways, it is a rule of thumb that still applies to the car’s classic identity. As vendor James Mitchell of Pendine says, there is nothing better for under £250,000, perhaps even half a million.
The Frua E-type’s performance remains impressive today
The Coombs E-type is still a pretty car, although Frua’s doodling on the front end reminds me of a much more effective quad-headlight treatment Jaguar was toying with that would have required far less effort.
And if he went too far on the outside, on the inside maybe Coombs didn’t go far enough.
Combine that snazzy prototype front end with electric windows, air conditioning, plusher carpets and a posher headliner, and he would have had an all-British, Harold Radford-style Coombs E-type, repeating the success of the various luxury Mini Coopers that are as synonymous with the period as the E-type itself.
Images: Max Edleston
Thanks to: Pendine
Factfile
Jaguar E-type 4.2 Frua Coupé
- Sold/number built 1966/1
- Construction steel monocoque
- Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc 4235cc straight-six, triple SU carburettors
- Max power 265bhp @ 5400rpm
- Max torque 283Ib ft @ 4000rpm
- Transmission four-speed manual, RWD
- Suspension independent, at front by torsion bars, wishbones, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar rear lower wishbones, radius arms, twin coil/damper units
- Steering rack and pinion
- Brakes discs, with servo
- Length 14ft 7in (4445mm)
- Width 5ft 6in (1676mm)
- Height 4ft (1220mm)
- Wheelbase 8ft (2438mm)
- Weight 2627Ib (1192kg)
- 0-60mph 7 secs
- Top speed 150mph
- Mpg 18-22
- Price new £1992
- Price now £90,000*
*Price correct at date of original publication
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Martin Buckley
Senior Contributor, Classic & Sports Car