LONDON: Jaguar Classic has unveiled its first matched pair of E-type 60 Collection cars, and revealed full specification details for the 12 restored and uprated 3.8-litre E-types built to celebrate 60 years of the sports car.
The E-type made its world debut in Geneva, Switzerland on March 15, 1961. The public reaction to the lone coupé available for test drives was so strong that Jaguar rushed a second E-type, a roadster, from Coventry to Geneva overnight.
Six decades later, the E-type 60 Collection pays tribute to these two 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.
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 colours respectively. These colours were inspired by the original 1961 colours and won’t be used on any other Jaguar.
The cars also feature unique E-type 60 design elements developed. They include subtle enhancements for improved usability and driveability including a five-speed manual gearbox and better cooling; plus the Jaguar Classic infotainment system with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.
The most distinctive highlight for each of the cars is an engraving by artist and designer King Nerd on the centre console of each car, recalling the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original cars. Each piece of art takes more than 100 hours to create by hand, in consultation with the owner.
The 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 aluminium casing for enhanced reliability and greater durability as well as closer gear ratios and smoother changes.
The 265bhp 3.8-litre six-cylinder XK engine benefits from a 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 similar to the standard mild steel system but produces a slightly deeper tone and offers greater longevity.
Johnny "King Nerd" Dowell has inscribed the stainless steel centre consoles of the 12 cars with a customised etching relevant to each E-type 60 Edition.
Each Smooth Black leather-trimmed coupé features a 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 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 centre 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.
Every car is supplied with a tailor-made E-type 60 car cover, tool roll and jack storage bags.
In the summer of 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.
