The Jaguar E-Type: Blast from the past
With its exceptional design and engineering, the Jaguar E-Type was a real game-changer
The eagle-eyed among you would have already spotted that something is amiss on this page. And you would be right – the space that is usually reserved for the latest ultra-exotic or the most technologically advanced automobile has been afforded to a vintage car. But what a vintage car it is – the Jaguar E-Type! Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari and one of the
most recalcitrant people in the car world, even described it as “the world’s most beautiful car”. That’s high praise! However, before we begin, take in the stunning beauty of its exquisite curves and gorgeous proportions. Take your time, don’t be shy, we’ll wait… Done?
Now, some additional context is in order. This issue’s curator, Farrah El Dibany, is a Paris-based Egyptian opera singer so naturally she has a leaning for the classical arts. She chose the car for this issue, hence you see the gorgeous Jaguar E-Type here. Wise pick, we say.
Farrah was raised in a household where her brother and father were car aficionados, so expectedly she often got drawn into conversations that eventually veered to automobiles. And being an architect as well, she has a keen eye for design. Back to the Jaguar E-Type. It was something of a trailblazer when it first came out. For starters, it was based on the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning D-Type and claimed a top speed of 241km/h and a zero to 100km/h time of under seven seconds. No small feat back in the 1960s. The Jaguar E-Type was originally introduced in 1961 and was available as a fixed-head coupe and an open two seater. It was an immediate sensation. The long bonnet, the short back and the swooping lines made for the classic roadster proportions and a stunning-looking sports car. Add the aforementioned performance into the mix and this was one of the most desirable cars of its time.
The original E-Type was powered by a 3.8-litre engine, which was eventually replaced by a 4.2-litre version – the latter became more valuable over the years. While it might not seem like a lot today, it was plenty back in its day. Expectedly, given its superb design and performance, the E-Type found several celebrity fans as well. The list of E-Type owners reads like a who’s who of Hollywood and glam land. The king of cool Steve McQueen, racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, actor Brigitte Bardot, singer Frank Sinatra, George Harrison of The Beatles and Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones, all owned E-Types. Need more convincing? Naturally, the Jaguar E-Type is more than a mere transportation device – it’s a piece of history, it’s an example of human resolve to dominate physics, and in fact create and automobile that doubles up as art. It is one of the most stunning pieces of automotive designs that has ever been conceived and that makes it a truly special vehicle.
In fact, such is the love for the car that today several companies have expended tremendous effort in creating restomods. Some brands such as HELM have gone a step further
and created a version that’s worth over 300 horsepower and costs in excess of USD 500,000! The E-Type expectedly lived a fairly long life and was in production from 1961 to 1974 – that’s an eon in car years. However, despite its demise, its legacy lives on. And rightly so.