1961 Jaguar E-Type

Kougar Jaguar Sports Cars were manufactured in England and were available as a completely built up car and in some cases supplied in a kit version. Jaguar donor cars have always been used for the mechanical side of it. This example utilizes components from, and is titled as a 1961 Jaguar. The engine is Jaguars' 3.8 litre double overhead camshaft version coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox with Laycock De Normanville overdrive transmission. Equipped with dual SU carburetors and producing about 230 horsepower. The suspension is all Jaguar and uses the inboard disc brake fully independent rear suspension along with rack & pinion steering, plus independent front suspension with disc brakes. Taking in to the quality of this build and the authentic E-type components used we believe this is Factory built car. This version was built in LHD form. It has a hoop roll bar fitted and the dash is done with the original Smiths style Jaguar instruments, it is laid out differently but has a definite Jaguar flavor! It has a Jaguar telescopic steering column. Wheels are chrome wires. The windshield is the very early variety supplied by Kougar on the First Series One cars of which we believe 200 or so were built, being the wrap around very sporty and sleek looking Perspex (Plexiglas) version. Finished in traditional British Racing Green w/black interior. The fiberglass body could be described as a "cigar shaped body, cycle fendered, roadster". No wipers, no heater, no top, two piece-tonneau only for protection. History The previous owner, located near Villanova, PA 19010, has owned it for aprox. two years and purchased it in California at "Cars With Class" of Santa Monica. He changed the white exhaust to black, otherwise it's the same as when he purchased it, and having not many miles since, and only selling due to lost storage we purchased the car in May of last year. Everything works on the car, we have spent many man hours at our restoration shop to properly finish and dial the car in. we have exercised it thoroughly and have driven the car on a 250 mile tour, shown it at multiple of events. The car is a dream to drive and much nicer now than when we purchased it. Appraisal This is the appraiser's report: (West Coast Auto Appraisals) said its "A great car, built in the 70's or 80's, runs good, great oil pressure hot and cold, temperature is dead on 70 even in traffic, electric cooling fan, overdrive works, lights all work, engine looks rebuilt, hi quality chassis made from tubular metal, jag suspension front & rear, disc brakes all around, rotors show no wear, drives great, stops well, shifts well, heavy clutch, pretty comfortable to drive, seats feel good, you could drive it a long distance, steering very direct, all gauges work, suspension is very tight even on rough surfaces, considering what the car is, much better than any other kit car that I have driven". Build It or Buy it? Thinking of building one yourself? First you have to buy an unpainted kit and have it shipped from England, pay import duty, etc. Next find a suitable donor car, disassemble it, rebuild the components you're going to use, dispose of the donor car, oh, and did I mention having a garage, tools, know how & time for this project? Assemble the car, paint the chassis and body, and then finally have it registered & titled in your state. I only present this scenario to give you an idea of what goes into these Kougars. That is still for the use of a new Body from Kougar Motorsports this example is one of the originals and holds its own level of collectability. There is a strong club support for Kougars and they are raced extensively, the company is still in business and the original owner is still involved even though he doesn't own the company anymore!