The Jaguar E-Type is an icon among icons and one of the dreams of every sports car fan. Now it is celebrating its 60th birthday this summer at Autoworld-Brussels.
Around fifteen examples, including several sports cars, will be on display from June 4 to August 29, 2021, along with a Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Edition, which was specially built in just 60 examples to mark this anniversary.
Unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the hand-built 77RW prototype was driven in Geneva in a spectacular 17-hour night race by the legendary Norman Dewis, then Jaguar's test and development engineer. This 77RW is currently the oldest E-Type still in existence. Never before, and perhaps never since, has a car evoked such feelings of British passion, joy and pride!
At the time, the E-Type was a Jaguar that was at least as fast and good-looking as a Ferrari, but cost three times less. Like the Porsche 911, it's the car every car designer has... or dreams of owning. Its 6-cylinder engine is more excited than a teenager, its driving position is fantastic and even Enzo Ferrari said it was the most beautiful car ever built. Its historic role is undeniable and its racing career is extraordinary.
The E-Type was in many ways developed from Jaguar's successful racing D-Type, which had won the Le Mans race three times from 1955 to 1957. Originally designed as a racing car, the E-Type eventually evolved into a road-going sports car and grand touring car, although many E-Types also stood out in motorsport. We owe its style to the work of aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer.
Originally, the E-Type was available as either an open two-seater or a fixed-head fastback coupé. The two cars had the same basic structure, a monocoque with a front subframe. They were powered by a 3.8-liter version of the proven Jaguar XK engine with 265 hp. Over the years, performance continued to improve.
The appearance of the E-Type was sensational and quickly became a symbol of the sixties. Thanks to its unbeatable price/performance combination, with a top speed of almost 241 km/h for just over GBP 2000, the car was an instant success, especially on the US market.
So this summer at Autoworld-Brussels is all about the E-Type. It's well worth a visit! All further information can be found on the Autoworld-Brussels website.
