The 1960 jaguar e type

After 1960 jaguar e type successes in the Le Mans 24hr race through the 1950s, company founder Sir William Lyons gave Heynes and Sayer the task of applying D-type construction to build a road-going sports car. This was to replace the XK150 and cause a sensation at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 – although it was almost a disaster. It was a race against time for the company to get the car there and PR man Bob Berry drove it flat out from Coventry, arriving in Geneva just 20 minutes before the covers were due to be lifted.

Jaguar E-Type: Unraveling the Legacy of a Timeless Icon

The E-Type was an instant hit. It wasn’t just the speed that made it stand out either – it was the way it looked and drove. The car had style, panache and a sense of drama about it that was entirely unique. It wasn’t just a sports car, it was a work of art.

In the hands of a knowledgeable driver, the E-Type was also a joy to drive. It could easily out-gun the competition from Ferrari and was capable of handling itself around a circuit. The steering felt precise and connected to the road; the brakes were powerful and progressive; and the engine was smooth and revvy.

Twelve cars were built in a lightened form with racing in mind – these are extremely rare and command high prices today. They weren’t quite as successful on the track as their C- and D-Type predecessors, but they still managed to finish fourth at the 1962 Le Mans 24hr and were raced in period by the likes of Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart.