Jaguar Celebrates 60th Anniversary of E-Type With Limited Edition Restorations

Jaguar is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic E-Type and has engaged the Jaguar Classic team to create six limited-edition restoration pairs (coupe + roadster) known as the “E-Type 60 Collection”.

On March 15, 1961, Jaguar revealed the first E-Type in Geneva, Switzerland to much applause and admiration and now 60 years later, Jaguar Classic have taken the opportunity to celebrate the iconic model with the release of six limited edition restoration pairs (consisting of a coupe and roadster) that will be known as the E-Type 60 Collection.

Using uprated 3.8-liter Jaguar E-Type models with a specially developed close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, the Jaguar Classic department are not only working to restore 12 vehicles (six coupes + six roadsters) to their former glory but are giving them a technological update with in-built satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, and unique bespoke design elements to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the E-type.

Inspired by the famous “9600HP” coupe and “77RW” roadster models revealed at the 1961 launch at the Geneva Motor Show, the new “9600 HP” themed E-Type Coupe is finished in a unique “Flat Out Grey” paint color inspired by Jaguar public relations manager Bob Berry who had to drive the car “flat out” from Coventry to Switzerland to get the vehicle to the launch on time.

Meanwhile, the “77RW” inspired E-Type Roadster is finished in “Drop Everything Green” in memory of Jaguar Test and Development Engineer Norman Dewis, who was told to “drop everything” and join Bob in Geneva due to the overwhelming public response to the coupe model . The vehicle that he hurried in to get to Geneva as fast as possible was the “77 RW” roadster in British Green.

Both of these colors, “Flat Out Grey” and “Drop Everything Green” will not be used on any other Jaguar vehicles and will be reserved solely for the E-Type 60 Collection cars.

Additional commemorative detailing can be found throughout both vehicles, with the new E-Type 60 logo featuring “1961-2021” located on the hood badge, clock face, fuel cap, and chassis plate.

Other design details include unique hand engraving on the center consoles of the cars by artist and designer Johnny Dowell, aka “King Nerd,” which commemorates the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of the two original vehicles.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to design and engrave the stories of two epic drives by two Jaguar legends in these iconic and special cars,” Dowell said. “A permanent reminder of the anniversary, everywhere these E-type vehicles go, the memory of Bob Berry and Norman Dewis will travel with them.”

The “Flat Out Grey” E-Type 60 Collection Coupe features the hand-engraved route taken by Bob Berry and the phrase “I thought you’d never get here,” recalling Jaguar founder Sir William Lyon’s words to Bob Berry moments before the official unveiling.

The “Drop Everything Green” E-Type 60 Collection Roadster features the engraved route taken by Norman Dewis in his mad dash to get to Switzerland and the quote “Drop everything and bring the open-top E-Type over,” as instructed by Lyons.

Once all the E-Type 60 restoration pairs have been completed, Jaguar has plans for the six customers and their guests to participate in the ultimate E-Type pilgrimage, which will take place in Summer 2022 and traverse from Coventry to Geneva, giving the new owners the chance to create their own iconic memories.