Happy Birthday: Jaguar E-Type 60 Editions Revealed
Coventry has revealed the first examples of the E-Type 60 Collection — and the cars are heartbreakingly beautiful.
Back in August, I wrote a post about how Jaguar Classic was crafting six unique pairs of E-Types, to celebrate both the 60th anniversary of the model and the legendary drives that brought demonstration models to the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. Well, in a invite-only webinar last week, Coventry finally revealed the first examples of the E-Type 60 Collection — and the cars are just as heartbreakingly beautiful as you’d expect.
While these images are barely safe for work, I bet they’re barely doing justice to these extraordinarily special versions of the icon that famously particular Enzo Ferrari called, “the most beautiful car in the world.”
Each of the 12 vehicles was clearly assembled with jeweler-like precision, and the level of detail of the builds is painstaking. But it’s worth noting that they’re not quite identical to the machines which introduced the E-Type to the world. And since I’m a noted fan of lumps and restomods? You might have guess that bothers me exactly zero bits. The exterior finishes, Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green, aren’t direct matches to the original hues, and there are a host of other touches which make these vehicles unique representations of the car which caused a sensation in the Swinging Sixties.
Under the hood, there’s a sparking version of the 3.8-liter straight-six XK motor. But instead of the stock four-speed, it’s mated to a bespoke, close-ratio five-speed unit developed in-house by the specialists at Jaguar Classic. There’s also a bevy of tastefully integrated touches elsewhere, including electronic ignition, a high-performance alloy radiator, more robust cooling system bits, and a stainless steel exhaust — so drivers can better hear the roar of the legendary mill.
Obviously, none of these machines are likely to turn into daily drivers, but modern creature comforts like satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity mean anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel will have access to some of the less-intrusive examples of today’s technology.
Like the gearbox, the infotainment system is another choice piece of kit from Jaguar Classic, and while no classic aficionado is going to mistake it for a vintage radio, the integration with the classic cabin is lovely.
Jaguar Classic E-type 60 Edition Coupe
My favorite addition is probably the engraved center console. Designed by world famous engraver Johnny “King Nerd” Dowell, it maps out the route famed Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis and marketing ace Bob Berry took from the factory to Switzerland, and each handmade piece took a painstaking 100 hours to produce.
Of course, other touches abound. Look around in these shots, and you’ll see the E-Type 60 logo on the hood badge, fuel cap, chassis plate, and tachometer face. For what it’s worth, while both cabins are stunning, the Suede Green interior of the drophead makes me weak at the knees — the subtle offset between the glossy sheetmetal and buttery leather is just sublime.
Jaguar Classic E-type 60 Edition Roadster
Unsurprisingly, each set of cars has already been snatched up. But it seems like there will at least some opportunities for Jaguar fans to vicariously enjoy them. Because while March 15th, 2021 marks the official 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type’s introduction in Switzerland, festivities are slated to continue into the summer of 2022, when the six lucky owners of these matched pairs with undertake their own Coventry-to-Geneva drive.
While it’s a ways off, it’s sure to provide loads of glorious images and video, so I’ll be posting everything I can find about the event as soon as it becomes available. Until then, enjoy all the pictures of the Jaguar E-Type 60 Editions!
Photos: Jaguar