Model Year

As I recall, prior to the requirement for the "universal" VIN number, most manufacturers did not designate a difference in model year in their VIN numbers. I believe that's true of the Jaguars prior to the long, coded VINs. I also believe that Jaguar followed the standard practice in the auto industry at that time (which essentially continues today) of changing model year designation in late August or September of each year (some actually changed in Oct., as I recall). American manufactures tried to make at least some cosmetic changes from year to year, to distinguish between model years, even though everything else about the car was unchanged. Don't they do that now?

It has always been my understanding that Jaguar never officially called the "federalized" Series I cars "1.5". That's a designation that's been given to them by Jaguar enthusiasts, to try to distinguish between the "original" models and the later Ser. I's that were "federalized" to meet US government requirements.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC

Doug, You're correct on you assumption. On S1 E-Types there are only two sets of serial/vin numbers that cover all of the cars from 61-68. For instance if the first number is a 8 the car is a 3,8 or if it starts as 1E it's a 4.2. The year on the title really doesn't mean much as, in most or all cases, the dealer applies for the title and generally a car that was produced in late summer/early fall, say 1963, was titled as a 64 model. The 1968 cars ,as they had to meet the new emmission & safety standards were a special case, too much to go into here. Generally speaking, as Jaguar made running changes on the E-Types during any production year the only thing important as far as authenticity is concerned is the vin and engine number.
If anyone wishes to discuss this further you're welcome to call me anytime between 9 Am & midnight Michigan time.
Bob Jag of Mi. 734-455-5039

Yes, different states (or, different countries) had their own policies which can further confuse the issue.

Now, my experince is with newer model Jaguars from the 70s and 80s and those cars had clearly delineated model-year break points, assigned by Jaguar itself, according to serial number. For instance, the '79 XJ6 SerIII started with 300001. The '80 XJ6 started with 310676, '81 started with 320092 and so forth. So, regardless of local registration/licensing policies, the true "model year" as assigned by Jaguar can always be determined.

My assumption, then, is that this practice was not used in the 60s, or at least not used with E-types....otherwise we wouldn't have all this confusion.

Yes? No?

Cheers
Doug Dwyer

Oppps...got my dates wrong...car on showroom floor in mid 1968 then not sold untill early 1969 (is what I meant)....etc But I think you know what I meant.

1974 XKE OTS
2000 S-Type V8

This is just a guess, but the model year of some import cars may have been partly based on the date of sale off the showroom floor depending on the local state DMV policy. So a dealer with a car there since say mid 1968 but not sold untill early 1968 could call the car a 68 (or the DMV would consider it a 68).Or if the US cars were into the new model year, then the unsold import cars were pushed up to the next model year as well. I ran across something about that in a magazine article, but I can't document the source. Maybe someone with a better memory can verify that practice.
1974 XKE OTS
2000 S-Type V8

I'm not an authority so I may well be talking out of my hat, but....

Are you saying that *any* E-type built in '67 which had *any* of the federalization changes would be considered a 1968 model?

The headlights lost their covers as early as July '67, I think. I'm certain I've seen such models (no covers, but all other Ser I features intact) which were considered to be "1967" cars. This may make them an early version of a Ser 1.5, but would it necessarily make them a "1968" ?
(Asking, not arguing)

I always thought that the tumbler (instead of toggle) switches was the clear indication of a 1968 Series 1.5 No ?

For what it's worth (perhaps nothing) every E-type I've seen that was labled as a "1968" had *all* the Ser 1.5 features...no covers, tumbler switches, 2-carbs, recessed door handles, etc. Those with only *some* of the features being considered '67s.

I know that serial/chassis numbers are the best way to go for judging originality, but few of the references I've seen tie together serial numbers with an approximate build date. Or am I not looking in the right places?

For us novice E-type admirers who are just learning, knowing *when* a change took place would be more meaningful that knowing it occured with car # 1E 12345 (or whatever).

Sorry if I am confusing the issue.....just trying to pick some brains and learn :-) I know this stuff has been beaten to death. Sorry.

Cheers
Doug Dwyer

George,
This would be an easy question if you had a Series 2 E-type as production started on these in August 1968, but were known as '69 models, i.e there's no such thing as a '68 Series 2 E-type. With the S1's, changes were made in mid run and there were some major changes in the '67 model year, which ultimately lead to the Series 1.5's which commenced production (I believe) in August of 1967, and again, were all known as '68s. The dispatch date is the date the car left the factory, and it took some time to get to the docks, onto the boat, off the boat, and to the dealer - at least four weeks and often more (pray no labor strikes. Based on your build date, I'd say you have a '67, but Bob Stevenson is the expert, so if he says otherwise believe him. Rare is the car whose registration date was not based on the date of sale, so registration date is meaningless. Chassis and engine number are much more meaningful. Your Heritage Certificate can't be beat. Bob?
Stew Cleave
JOCO Chief Judge
'69 E-Type 2+2 and other LBC's