Known as the XK-E, E-Type was introduced in 1961, eventually becoming Jaguar’s highly iconic and one of the most desirable models. Praised for its beautiful design, impressive performance, and relative affordability it even won the heart of the scrupulous Enzo Ferrari who called it “the most beautiful car ever made”. It was in production for over a decade and is still considered a classic and great collectible automobile today.
Source: IMBOLDN
Designed by Malcolm Sayer and engineered by William Haynes, the glorious E-Type was well received by the general public and the automotive press. It was especially popular in the United States, with over 60% of automobiles sold there. This iconic sports vehicle featured leather bucket seats, a fully stocked instrument panel, and a wooden sports steering wheel which made it a sporty yet luxurious driving lovers’ darling. Even several decades later it is still a dream and one of the most sought-after classics in the automotive world.
Source: Silver Arrow Cars Ltd.
The famous E-Type, also known as the XK-E in the US market, made its debut in 1961 at the Geneva Motor Show as a replacement for the XK series. The vehicle was designed by Malcolm Sayer and engineered by William Haynes, featuring sleek, impetuous lines with a long hood and muscular sides. The roadster turned out beautiful and fast and was known for its impressive performance, with a top speed of 150 mph and a 0-60 time of 7 seconds, and its affordable price point compared to other sports cars of its class like Ferrari and Aston Martin. From the very beginning, the model was produced in both roadster and fastback coupe versions, making its way not only in Europe but also becoming extremely popular in the US. It won all possible titles intended for automobiles, including the number one among the 100 most beautiful vehicles of the 20th century (ranked by The Daily Telegraph), and “The best sports vehicle of the 1960s” by Sports Car International. The E-Type was so well-regarded that it was one of six cars put on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and even impressed Enzo Ferrari who hated British automobiles. It was in high demand, so many buyers had to wait several years for their vehicles. Moreover, this iconic roadster was owned by many famous and influential people, including Tony Curtis, Steve McQueen, Brigitte Bardot, Jacques Charrier, Adam Faith, and George Best.
Source: Automotive Restorations
The 1970 edition as previous ones was known for its sleek design, high performance, and luxurious interior. It was powered by a 4.2-liter inline 6 engine that produced 246 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This was a slight reduction from the 265 horsepower of the earlier models, as it was necessary to meet stricter US emissions standards. The automobile’s engine was paired with either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission, independent suspension on all four wheels, and disc brakes on all four wheels. Overall, the 1970 release had a distinctive and iconic design, with a long hood and short rear deck, being available in a variety of colors. It featured a restyled front end with a larger grille and headlamps and chrome bumpers. In addition to the design, the interior also was known for its high level of luxury and refinement. It featured leather bucket seats, a fully stocked instrument panel, and a wooden sports steering wheel. In addition, the 1970 model year featured a new dashboard design, with a wood veneer finish. Extra features of the 1970 E-Type included power steering, air conditioning, and a radio.
Source: Mecum Auctions
The Jaguar E-Type was popular among many famous and influential people throughout its production run. Some notable owners of the 1970 edition included: Steve McQueen, the American actor, and filmmaker (he owned a silver 1970 E-Type convertible), George Harrison, the English musician, and member of the Beatles (he owned a British Racing Green 1970 release), Enzo Ferrari, the Italian businessman and founder of Ferrari, who was known for his great admiration for this particular model, Frank Sinatra, the American singer, and actor( a black 1970 convertible), Ralph Lauren, the American fashion designer.
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