In 1957, the folks in Coventry were making plans for the replacement of the XK150. A small 2/3-scale aluminum prototype was tested. This was E1A. Norman Dewis was the test driver, putting this early design through its paces. The eventual look of the E-Type was already evident in this early car, taking some of its styling cues from the D-Type.
The next step was the prototype E2A, where one of its major improvements was the independent rear suspension that would be a big part of the XKE. E2A was given a trial by fire in the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by Walt Hansgen and Dan Gurney as part of Briggs Cunningham’s team, they experienced some rough luck and were a DNF.
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