The Jaguar E-type has been voted as Best British Car Ever in a worldwide poll run by the inaugural Classic & Sportscar – The London Show, running from 30 October to 1 November at Alexandra Palace. With thousands of votes cast, the E-type garnered the most votes of the shortlisted cars that also included the McLaren F1, Mini, Bentley Speed Six, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost plus other British icons such as the original Range Rover and Jaguar’s own XKSS.
Jaguar originally intended the E-Type to compete exclusively as a racecar, however, it quickly developed into a road-going grand tourer and sportscar with an open two-seater or fixed-head coupe available.
The car was officially unveiled at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. One of the display cars featuring on the showstand in 1961 was an open-top version of the iconic sportscar – 77 RW – which was driven almost non-stop from Coventry to Geneva by Jaguar’s legendary test driver, Norman Dewis OBE nearly 55 years ago.
E-type’s popularity attracted many well-known celebrity and VIP owners such as Steve McQueen, George Best, Sir Jackie Stewart, Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra. Want an up close look? Visitors to the Classic & Sportscar – The London Show will have the opportunity to get up close to this very same car, plus also listen in on interesting insights from Norman Dewis OBE who is confirmed for the Interview Stage.
