50 Years Of The Jaguar E-Type

Table of contents:

50 Years Of The Jaguar E-Type
50 Years Of The Jaguar E-Type

Video: 50 Years Of The Jaguar E-Type

Video: 50 Years Of The Jaguar E-Type
Video: Jaguar E-TYPE | 50 Years of a Design Icon 2024, March
Anonim

It was the icon of a whole generation and for decades was considered the ultimate sports car: the Jaguar E-Type. The British sports car made its debut half a century ago - with a sensational premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.

By Thomas Geiger

It was a first-class PR coup: With screeching tires and a hot engine, Norman Dewis arrived in Geneva on March 15, 1961, just in time. More important than the British test driver, however, was his car. Because the car with which the Jaguar works driver from Coventry drove through the night to Switzerland was - freshly polished and beautifully staged in the headlights - the star of the car show. And then for many decades it became an icon among sports cars. Exactly 50 years ago, the Jaguar E-Type made its debut in Geneva.

Planning began in 1956

What looked like a premiere at the last minute was planned well in advance. Because as early as December 1956, company boss Sir William Lyons gave his designer Malcolm Sayer the order for a successor to the aging XK. The test drives began the following year, and the final shape crystallized as early as 1958. In order to be sure that they could actually sell the planned 1,000 cars, curiosity was piqued with targeted indiscretions in the summer before the premiere.

The British plan worked: the reactions to the 4.46 meter long but only 1.22 meter flat sports car with the seemingly endless bonnet, the wide flared fenders and the crisp backside were so overwhelming that 1000 copies were nowhere near were enough. Even competitors like Enzo Ferrari publicly praised the island's icon as “the most beautiful car in the world”. By the time the E-Type fell victim to the oil crisis 14 years after its debut, a total of 72,529 vehicles rolled off the assembly line. Since then, the classic has not only been in many private collections, it is a regular guest at classic races and the dream of many Sunday drivers. As one of the very few vehicles, it even has a place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Cheap price in comparison

Image
Image

The success of the E-Type is based not only on its seductive design, but also on its price. The coupé initially cost 26,000 marks in Germany, the roadster was 1,000 marks cheaper. At that time a lot of money for a tight two-seater, but compared to competitors like the Ferrari 250 GT or the Aston Martin DB4 a bargain. Customers were happy to accept a few defects in workmanship and reliability. Especially since a Lamborghini or a De Tomaso were hardly better at that time and the Porsche 911 or Mercedes SL were not really counted among the super sports cars.

According to Jaguar, the E-Type started in England with a 3.8 liter six-cylinder that developed 198 kW / 269 hp and accelerated the car to up to 240 km / h. The engine with which Jaguar won five victories at Le Mans made the coupé the fastest production car in the world. The six-cylinder, which has grown steadily larger and more powerful over the years, has not remained: since 1971 the E-Type has even been available as a V12 model with a displacement of 5.3 liters and up to 232 kW / 315 PS. In the eyes of many fans, however, this change from a sharp sports car to a potent cruiser for the boulevard has not done him any good.

From 20,000 euros on offer

Image
Image

Nevertheless, the E-Type, which was even launched as a 23 centimeter longer family coupé with a second seat, especially with a view to US customers, is very popular with fans of the brand. "He is an icon and perhaps the most famous jaguar of all time," says Helga Neuhäuser from Reichersbeuern. It maintains the E-Type register of the German Jaguar Association and has around 400 vehicles from domestic collectors in its file alone. And there are more and more. For its good reputation, the Englishman in a hurry is a comparatively inexpensive classic, says the expert: "Anyone who is satisfied with less popular vintages and accepts a few blemishes can find a suitable car for 20,000 to 30,000 euros."

Very well-preserved specimens from the first series sell for around 50,000 euros. Even the first and last E-Types produced, which are coveted by collectors, rarely change hands for well over 60,000 euros, says Neuhäuser. Measured against an old gullwing from Mercedes or the Ferraris of that time, that's a real bargain. (dpa / tmn)

Recommended: