E-Type Turns 60, Jaguar Classic Commemorates With This
The Jaguar E-Type turns 60. What better way to celebrate than to create 12 Collection cars.
The Jaguar E-Type is frequently called the most beautiful car ever made. As the Lamborghini Countach and Maserati Bora turn 50 this month, the Jaguar E-Type turns 60.
To celebrate turning 60, Jaguar Classic has created 12 restored E-Types with slightly modernised parts.
These cars are modelled after 2 particular E-Types, one in Opalescent Gunmetal Grey (a coupé) and another in roadster in British Racing Green.
Here’s what the Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection has:
- uprated 265hp 3.8-litre inline 6 engine
- new five-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh, closer ratios, helical cut gears, and a reinforced cast aluminium casing
- new electronic ignition
- new polished stainless steel exhaust system (slightly lower tone, better longevity)
- Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity
- engraving by artist and designer Johnny Dowell, aka “King Nerd,” on the centre console of each car, recalling the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original vehicles at launch
For more on these 12 cars and the story of the Jaguar E-Type’s launch, check out the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Jaguar Classic has unveiled its first matched pair of E-type 60 Collection vehicles, and revealed full specification details for the 12 restored and sympathetically uprated 3.8-liter E-type examples built to celebrate 60 years of the iconic sports car.
Six decades after the world debut of the E-type in Geneva, Switzerland on March 15, 1961, the E-type 60 Collection pays tribute to these two legendary vehicles: the Opalescent Gunmetal Grey coupe ”9600 HP,” driven by publicist Bob Berry to make the launch itself, and the British Racing Green roadster “77 RW,” driven by Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis who was told to “drop everything” to get to Geneva the next day.
The E-type 60 Collection vehicles, which are sold as a pair (one E-type 60 Edition coupe, one E-type 60 Edition roadster) are finished in exclusive Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green paint colors, respectively. These color formulations are inspired by the original 1961 colors and will not be used on any other Jaguar vehicle. Restored and refined by the experts at Jaguar Classic in Coventry, the E-type 60 Collection vehicles combine flawless quality and exceptional engineering know-how.
The most significant mechanical upgrade is a specially developed, five-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh, helical cut gears, and a reinforced cast aluminum casing designed to deliver enhanced reliability and greater durability, as well as closer gear ratios and smoother gear changes. The 265hp, 3.8-liter six-cylinder XK engine benefits from an authentic, 1961-style alloy radiator, with electric cooling fan and electronic ignition for everyday usability, as well as a polished stainless-steel exhaust system. This new exhaust system is dimensionally identical to the standard mild steel system but produces a slightly deeper tone and offers greater longevity.
The vehicles also feature a range of unique E-type 60 design elements developed in conjunction with Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director, subtle enhancements for improved usability and drivability, and the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. The most distinctive visual highlight on each vehicle is an engraving by artist and designer Johnny Dowell, aka “King Nerd,” on the center console of each car, recalling the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original vehicles. Each piece of art takes more than 100 hours to create by hand, in consultation with the owner.
“This was a fantastic opportunity to design and engrave the stories of two epic drives by two Jaguar legends in these iconic and special cars,” Dowell said. “A permanent reminder of the anniversary, everywhere these E-type vehicles go, the memory of Bob Berry and Norman Dewis will travel with them.”
Each Smooth Black leather-trimmed coupe features a stylized route map plotting the key locations along the route taken by Bob Berry, with an overhead sketch of the
E-type and the phrase, “I thought you’d never get here,” recalling the reaction of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons to the arrival of Berry just moments before the unveiling.
For the six Suede Green leather-trimmed roadsters, the engraving tracks the route taken by Dewis on his last-minute drive to Switzerland, with a sketch of the vehicle and an instruction by Lyons to Dewis: “Drop everything and bring the open top E-type over.”
In addition to the center console, the hood badge, clock face within the tachometer, fuel cap and chassis plate are all finished with a commemorative E-type 60 logo created by Jaguar Design, featuring the years “1961-2021.” A light beech-rimmed steering wheel, as fitted to 1961 vehicles, features a 24-carat gold horn button. Each vehicle is supplied with a tailor-made E-type 60 car cover, tool roll and jack storage bags to complete the enhancements and exemplify the attention to detail lavished on each vehicle.
In Summer 2022, the six customers and their guests will take part in the ultimate E-type pilgrimage: a Coventry-to-Geneva drive experience with their vehicles to create their own E-type memories, enjoying breath-taking scenery, epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – exclusive stays and fine cuisine throughout the trip.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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