Jaguar today celebrates the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the iconic E-type. Dubbed as one of the most beautiful cars in the world, Jaguar made the E-type’s world debut at an event in Geneva, Switzerland.
To celebrate this Diamond Jubilee, Jaguar, through Jaguar Classic, has created six limited-edition matched pairs of restored 1960s 3.8 E-types under the banner E-type 60 Collection.
The E-type 60 Edition coupe, painted in Flat Out Grey, honours the trip by the late Bob Berry who drove the fixed-head coupe E-type bearing the registration ‘9600 HP’ flat out from Jaguar’s headquarters in Coventry to Geneva for the event as well as public test drives planned there.
The reception was so encouraging that Sir William Lyons, founder of Jaguar, told development engineer Norman Dewis in Coventry to “drop everything and bring the open top E type over”. As such, the 60 Edition roadster honours the epic trip by the late Norman Dewis driving the ’77 RW’ roadster with a paint called Drop Everything Green.
Each E-type 60 Edition has been expertly restored and refined by the experts at Jaguar Classic. The cars feature a 265 hp 3.8-litre in-line six-cylinder XK engine paired with a specially-developed five-speed manual gearbox that features all-gear synchromesh, helical cut gears and a reinforced cast aluminium casing.
The engine gets a 1961—style alloy radiator but fitted with a modern electric cooling fan and electronic ignition for everyday usability. A new exhaust system made of stainless steel produces a slightly deeper tone and offers greater longevity compared to the mild steel system it replaces.
Bespoke design elements include a commemorative E-type 60 logo, which adorns the bonnet badge, fuel cap, chassis plate and clock face in the tachometer developed in conjunction with Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director. A light beech-rimmed steering wheel, as fitted to 1961 cars, features a 24-carat gold horn push.
Each Smooth Black leather-trimmed coupe features an engraved stylised route map plotting the key locations along the route taken by Bob Berry, with an overhead sketch of the E-type and the words, ‘I thought you’d never get here’, recalling the reaction of Sir William Lyons to Bob’s arrival just minutes before the unveiling.
The engraved maps on the centre consoles were custom-designed by world-leading artist Johnny “King Nerd” Dowell. Each piece of art took more than 100 hours to create by hand.
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 car and another Lyons’ quote – this time his instructions to Norman- ‘Drop everything and bring the open top E-type over.’
The lucky owners and drivers of the anniversary edition need not use the hand-engraved sketch maps though, as Jaguar has also fitted the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.
Every car 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 cars 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.
No pricing has been announced, as the sales of the six matched-pairs are handled by Jaguar Classic with the restoration department requesting around £315,000 (RM1.8 million) for one ‘regular’ Reborn 3.8-litre E-type.
Jaguar started the celebrations Diamond Jubilee of the E-type as early as December last year with a commemorative limited edition model F-Type called the Heritage 60 Edition.
Jaguar E-type 60 Edition coupe
Jaguar E-type 60 Edition roadster
