Premium

Geneva Motor Show 1961 - no novelties except the Jaguar E-Type?

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on February 26, 2011

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Archiv

Jaguar E Type - Sir William Lyons poses with the new E-Type at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E Type - Sir William Lyons demonstrating the E Type - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E Type - the star of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show at the exterior presentation

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - the wonderfully curved rear of the E-Type Coupé on the occasion of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - the famous 9600 HP on the occasion of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - Side view of the fast Englishman

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - the sensation of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - the interior of the sensational sports car - shown at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E-Type - the trunk is very accessible - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar E Type - the engine of the show star of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

General plan of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alvis - Alvis stand at the Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Buick Special - Buick at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford - The Ford stand at the 1961 Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ghia - Ghia stand at the 1961 Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hillman - Hillman stand at the Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Appia - Surprise from Bertone in Italy

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Peugeot 404 - Premiere at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Saab - a whole family fits into the Saab

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Vauxhall - the Vauxhall stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Abarth 750 - Abarth engine at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 2000 Coupé - Alfa Romeo special bodywork at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo Sprint 2000 - Premiere at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alvis Graber Super - at the special bodies at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

AR - the Automobil Revue stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston Martin DB 4 GT - DB4 GT - Model 'Jet' by Bertone

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston-Martin DB4 Vantage - the fast Vantage at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston-Martin DB 4 - the elegant coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Austin Mini - the little runabout on display at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, with the Traveller/Countryman on the left

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Austin Mini - The Mini and the Clubman side by side at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Becker - the luxury radio for the Mercedes 220 - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Bentley Continental - Rolls-Royce and Bentley united at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 700 Sport - BMW's compact sports coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 700 - whether it suits us - Question at the Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Chevrolet Corvette - Corvette at the Chevrolet stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Chevrolet Impala - the imposing road cruiser at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

DB GT Le Mans (1961) - pretty convertible from Deutsch-Bonnet at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Devin D Type - arrival from the USA - Devin with polyester bodywork at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Devin D - self-built car in plastic - shown at the Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

DKW - this is what it looks like from below - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Derby - the latest craze - Car radio to go as a portable device - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 250 GT - Interior of the Ferrari at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 400 SA - Ferrari special version by Pininfarina at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Fiat 2100 - side view of this big hit from Vignale

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Comet - the open doors invite you in

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Thunderbird - the T-Bird pays its respects at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Innocenti 950 - pretty convertible at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Innocenti - check the make-up now - Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar Mark 2 - the fast sedan at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Flavia - on the Lancia stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lincoln Continental - the impressive Continental at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Elite - Interior of the left-hand drive Lotus Elite at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati 3500 GT - very elegant Maserati at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Maserati Tipo 63 (Birdcage) - presented at the last minute at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz 220 SE - the large Mercedes coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes 220 SE - the fast touring coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Opel Rekord Ascona (1961) - The P2 on the Opel stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Panhard - the Rally Monte Carlo Panhard at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Plymouth Fury - the elegant Plymouth at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsch 356 - Porsche 356 1600 Cabriolet at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Renault Floride - on the Renault stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Riley - Nuffield Group stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Rochdale Olympic - From the English road straight to the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Rolls-Royce - Rolls-Royce presence at the 1961 Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Simca Ariane - sleek sedan at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Spyder Autounion 1000 S - by Fissore at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Studebaker Italsuisse - a special model at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Sunbeam Alpine - on the Sunbeam stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph - Triumph Herald and TR3 on the stand in Geneva at the 1961 Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Triumph TR 3 - the TR 3 pokes its nose out at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 - the new Volvo sports coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Volvo P 1800 - the sporty interior of the Volvo at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Abarth 220 Ellena - elegant coupé on the Abarth stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 2000 Sprint - the Bertone coupé impresses at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale (1959) - one of the first 80 Giuliettas on the test track

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo Giuliette Sprint Speciale - the elegant fast coupé at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Aston-Martin DB4 GT Jet Bertone (1960) - elegantly designed coupé by Bertone based on Aston-Martin at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Citroën 2 CV 4x4 Sahara - the crawling duck with two engines at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB - the fast Berlinetta already looks fast at the Geneva Motor Show 1961

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 250 GT - the Ferrari on the Pininfarina stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ferrari 400 Superfast - the fast, elegant Ferrari coupé on the Pininfarina stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Humber - with wide-opening doors for easier entry and exit - at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Italsuisse 600 D - a convertible based on the Fiat 600D designed by Pietro Frua at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lancia Appia Zagato - pretty Zagato coupé on the Lancia stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL - 300 SL Cabriolet with hardtop on the Mercedes stand at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show

You have only

1 out of 86

images seen in high resolution

Jaguar E Type - Sir William Lyons bei der Vorführung des E-Types - Autosalon Genf 1961

Jaguar E Type - der Star des Genfer Autosalons 1961 bei der Aussenpräsentation

Jaguar E-Type - das wundervoll geschwungene Heck des E-Type Coupés anlässlich des Genfer Autosalons 1961

Jaguar E-Type - der berühmte 9600 HP anlässlich des Genfer Autosalons 1961

Jaguar E-Type - Seitenansicht des schnellen Engländers

Jaguar E-Type - die Sensation des Genfer Autosalon 1961

Summary

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 1961 Geneva International Motor Show owes its special status to the Jaguar E-Type, which was presented to the world at this very exhibition. The reporting was dominated by this world premiere and even among trade journalists the saying "nothing new except Jaguar" circulated. From today's perspective, this was actually wrong, as there were a number of interesting innovations to be seen in addition to the E-Type, but more on that later. In 1961, there were already 865,000 vehicles on Swiss roads, of which 574,000 were cars and 291,000 motorcycles of all kinds. This meant that there was one car for every ten inhabitants. Mass motorization was not yet a reality, but anyone who wanted to and saved could afford a car. In general, there was great confidence and faith in technology. Yuri Gagarin had just become the first person to return from space, the television was slowly beginning to conquer the living rooms at home, showing "Sportschau" or the first versions of "Vorsicht Kamera". On the radio, the first devices already made it possible to receive stereo signals, Ben E. King sang his way into the charts worldwide with "Stand By Me", Bill Ramsey sang about the "Sugar Doll" and Connie Francis raved about "Beautiful Stranger". Elvis Presley stormed the charts with "Surrender" and shaped the year with his sound. Miss Marple films and "A Pyjama for Two" (with Doris Day and Rock Hudson) were shown at the cinema, as well as "It Doesn't Always Have to Be Caviar" and "101 Dalmatians". The first nuclear reactor was put into operation in Bavaria and the city of Berlin was divided by a wall. Bread cost 85 pfennigs per kilogram and Phil Hill won the F1 World Championship in a Ferrari.

Welcome to Zwischengas!