Favoured in the early 60s by the likes of the Beatles and George Best, the E-Type Jag has long been considered one of Britain’s coolest classic cars. Get the low-down on the history of this British style icon with Mer car care products’ quick guide.
From war to phwoar
Aware of the British public’s appetite for a little speed and sex after the privations of the Second World War, emerging car manufacturer Jaguar began to produce a range of sleek desirable sports cars in the 1950s.
Designed as much to win races as to win the hearts of style-lovers, the first model - the C-Type Jag - was a real feat of engineering. It combined cutting edge aviation technology with voluptuous, low-slung curves and was an instant hit, scooping first place at Le Mans in both 1951 and 1953.
The triumph of the C-Type prompted Jaguar to develop a glamorous successor in the form of the D-Type, establishing some of the luxurious design principles which are still in evidence today. The D-Type rapidly became a status symbol for fashionable Brits in the late 1950s and demonstrated the nation’s appetite for driving sports cars.
Enter the E-Type
In 1961 Jaguar unveiled its new uber-glamorous, almost amphibious model - the E-Type - at the Geneva Motorshow. The E-Type was as gorgeous as it was futuristic with performance and handling well ahead of its time and a bonnet that just seemed to go on and on forever.
The fact that Jaguar’s founder William Lyons insisted that the car was driven to the Geneva Show from their factory in Coventry only increased excitement about its arrival - especially as it got there fashionably late.
With top speeds of 150 mph and an price tag less than half of that of an Aston Martin, it rapidly became the darling of the emerging 60s fashion and music scene.
Going stateside
Not long after its European launch, the E-Type was unveiled at The New York Motorshow as the Jaguar XKE to a rapturous reception. Frank Sinatra was apparently among the overwhelmed onlookers barking “I want that car and I want it now”. It went on to sell well across the States to a well-heeled market looking to buy themselves a little bit of Brit cool.
The world moves on
Jaguar made 72,500 E-Types between 1961 and 1974, redefining the look and feel of luxury sports cars forever. As the 60s began to give way to the 70s however, the car began to lose some of its original daring with a series of safety and style modifications designed to bring it up to date and broaden its appeal.
With the UK plunging into recession in 1974, dealers reportedly struggled to sell the last of the E-Types despite the fact that they now boasted a magnificent V12 engine.
If you own an E-type Jaguar then Mer Car Care Products have a variety of products that work perfectly with these cars including, car shampoo.