Six decades of the Jaguar E-Type marked by new 60 Collection cars

H

Hugo Griffiths

Guest
The Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection marks six decades since the car was unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. Six pairs, each comprising a roadster and coupe, are to be built, priced at around £850,000 for the pair.

Collectors will not be able to buy the cars individually, though a choice of left or right-hand drive is available. Some orders have already been taken but a few pairs are still available. The coupe is finished in Flat Out Grey and the roadster in Drop Everything Green, both unique colours specially created and reserved only for the 60 Collection models. The distinctive shades are named after the haste with which the E-Type was driven to Geneva in 1961.


The cars are largely true to the original E-Type launch models, but have a few choice modern conveniences. Modern cooling and ignition systems are fitted for durability, a retro-styled infotainment system brings convenience, stainless-steel exhausts are “dimensionally identical” to standard spec but add a “deeper tone”, while the cars have close-ratio five-speed manual gearboxes for improved usability.

The E-Type 60 Collection cars are fully restored 1960s models, each stripped down to the bare metal, and rebuilt using as many original components as possible. Around 1,100 hours are spent on the bare metalwork alone and the restoration work carried out at Jaguar Classic in Coventry includes the fitment of suspension dampers purpose-built from the original drawings.

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe front

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe front
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe rear

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe rear
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe side

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe side
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe rear static

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe rear static
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection 3

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection 3
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection 2

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection 2
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe dash

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe dash
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster rear

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster rear
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - interior detail

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - interior detail
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - transmission

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - transmission
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - boot

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - boot
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster roof up

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster roof up
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - steering wheel

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - steering wheel
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - grille

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - grille
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - keys

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - keys
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster front

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster front
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster dash

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster dash
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster rear static

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster rear static
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster dash

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster dash
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - above

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - above
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - exhausts

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - exhausts
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - 60

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - 60
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - side

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - side
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster side

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster side
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster front static

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster front static
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster above

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - roadster above
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - interior

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - interior
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe above

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - coupe above
Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - controls

Jaguar E-Type 60 Collection - controls

As well as a few subtle modern improvements, the cars come with four ‘E-type 60’ logos: one on the rev counter, one of the fuel filler, one on the chassis plate, and one on the bonnet badge.

Specially designed gearbox casings were also created, meaning no bodywork was cut and that the original four-speed gearboxes (included with the cars) can be refitted should owners wish.

Hand-engraved centre consoles etched by Johnny ‘King Nerd’ Dowell, meanwhile, chart the routes taken to Geneva, with the coupe and roadster having slightly different maps, reflecting the journeys taken by drivers Bob Berry and Norman Dewis on their way to the show in 1961. The coupe was originally chosen as the Geneva car, but such was the demand for test drives, Dewis was told to “drop everything” and drive a roadster from Coventry to Geneva overnight.

Both cars feature a 265bhp 3.8-litre straight-six engine, for a 0-60mph time of seven seconds, and a top speed of 150mph. Buyers also get a bespoke car cover, tool roll and jack storage bag, and will be invited to a commemorative drive - complete with “exclusive stays and fine cuisine” - from Coventry to Geneva in summer 2022.

Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic, called the 60 Collection “the ultimate birthday present to the E-type”, with the cars representing “a labour of love for our designers, engineers, craftspeople and partners.” He added: “Exquisite detailing combined with enhanced usability ensure these E-types will be coveted and enjoyed for decades to come by their discerning owners”.

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