Jaguar Classic reveals E-Type 60th anniversary collection tributes

Jaguar Classic has dropped the drapes for the E-type 60 Collection cars to pay homage to iconic sports car that debuted six decades back.

According to Jaguar Classic, the E-type 60 Collection pays tribute to these two legendary cars: the Opalescent Gunmetal Grey coupé "9600 HP," driven "flat out" by Bob Berry to make the launch itself, and the British Racing Green roadster "77 RW," driven by Norman Dewis who was told to ‘drop everything’ to get to Geneva the next day.

Sold as a combination, one E-type 60 Edition coupé and one E-type 60 Edition roadster, these offers wear the exclusive Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green paint respectively. These colorways are based on the original 1961 hue and will not be used on any other Jaguar model.

Aside from that, the cars are equipped with a range of unique E-type 60 design elements developed with the vision of Jaguar Design Director Julian Thomson; subtle enhancements for improved usability and drivability including a five-speed manual gearbox and enhanced cooling; plus the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

The E-type 60 Collection cars, which are sold as a pair (one E-type 60 Edition coupé, 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 won’t be used on any other Jaguar.

Probably the most distinctive feature is the engraving on the center console of each car, recalling the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original cars. Made by artist and designer Johnny "King Nerd" Dowell, this design takes more than 100 hours to create by hand each for 12 units in consultation with the owner.

Jaguar Classic Director Dan Pink expressed pride over the latest bespoke offering.

“Sixty years after its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the talented team at Jaguar Classic is releasing the ultimate birthday present to the E-type: The E-type 60 Collection. The attention to detail demonstrates how this project has been a labor of love for our designers, engineers, craftspeople and partners. Exquisite detailing combined with enhanced usability ensure these E-types will be coveted and enjoyed for decades to come by their discerning owners, starting with a once-in-a-lifetime Coventry to Geneva pilgrimage for our six customers and their guests in Summer 2022,” Pink was quoted as saying.

The limited-edition model’s most significant mechanical upgrade is a specially developed five-speed manual gearbox which features synchromesh on all ratios, helical cut gears and a reinforced cast aluminum casing for enhanced reliability and greater durability as well as closer gear ratios and smoother changes.

Powering the roadster and the coupe version is the 3.8-liter six-cylinder XK engine with an authentic 1961-style alloy radiator, with electric cooling fan and electronic ignition, 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.

Each Smooth Black leather-trimmed coupé 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 words, ‘I thought you’d never get here’, recalling the reaction of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons to Bob’s arrival just minutes 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 car and another Lyons’ quote – this time his instructions to Norman: "Drop everything and bring the open top E-type over."

In addition to the center console, the bonnet 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 cars, features a 24-carat gold horn push.

Photos from Jaguar

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