Jaguar Classic showcases the rare and beautiful E-type 60 series

Anyone who has or used Jaguar E-type can tell you that there are many things that can irritate a person. Nonetheless, everyone — a car owner, a mechanic, or just a passerby — will never say that the Type E is ugly. Now that the Model E has been living in our world for 60 years, Coventry has decided to launch a new and extremely limited series, provided by Jaguar Classic.

What Is Jaguar Classic?

Jaguar E-type 60th Anniversary

Special Treatments

Engine & Powertrain

Ultimate Getaway

What Is Jaguar Classic?

In case you didn’t know, Jaguar Classic is the factory arm that serves as the official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts, and unforgettable experiences for Jaguar devotees the world over. For example, Jag Classic handles the E-type Reborn restorations and builds exclusive “new original” Jaguar Continuation Cars. And in this instance, they seem to have invented a time machine that can whisk you back to Geneva, 1961.

Jaguar Classic is creating six limited-edition matched pairs of restored 3.8 E-type sports cars inspired by the iconic “9600 HP” and “77 RW” examples from the 1961 Geneva launch – each pair is known as the E-type 60 Collection.

Jaguar E-type 60th Anniversary

The Geneva Motor Show in March 1961. That was when Jaguar first displayed the then-new E-type to the world. Two models, in fact, a convertible and a coupe. It is these two exact cars that Jaguar Classic has decided to recreate in stunning detail. Jaguar Classic is creating six limited-edition matched pairs of restored 3.8 E-type sports cars, each pair known as the E-type 60 Collection. Yes, six. S-i-x. All the fingers on one hand, plus an extra. When I said “limited edition,” I was not kidding around.

First up, we have six 9600 HP-inspired E-type 60 Edition fixed-head coupes. That’s British for “hardtops.” The “9600 HP” part comes from the license plate that adorned the Geneva show car. The coupes will be finished in a unique Flat Out Grey paintwork with Smooth Black leather interior and feature many 1961 tribute details.

To match the coupes, you’ll see six E-type 60 Edition roadsters, dubbed the “77 RW” for the plates the drop-tops wore in 1961. The converts will be painted in a unique Drop Everything Green color and come with a Suede Green leather interior.

Special Treatments

These 1961 tribute details include bespoke design elements such as a commemorative E-type 60 logo adorning the hood, fuel cap, chassis plate

, and clock face in the tachometer. Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director, is responsible for these touches. Other special touches, like the custom-designed and engraved center console, celebrate the epic road trips taken by Norman Dewis and Bob Berry to get the sports cars to the 1961 launch. The center console art was conceived by artist King Nerd. Yeah, that’s a real person. I checked.

Each piece of center console art takes more than 100 hours to create by hand.

Photo: Jaguar Classic.

Engine & Powertrain

Each E-type 60 Edition features a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox mated to the 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder Jaguar XK engine. This is a good move, given that the original four-speed had a “kind-of-too-tall” fourth (if you ask me). Also, that big 3.8-liter six is a hallmark of a plant. All of the kinks were worked out decades ago, so you should be good to go.

Speaking of good to go, Jag points out that there have been understated enhancements for added usability and drivability. These include the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, a stainless steel exhaust system (that’s a plus!), electronic ignition (an even bigger plus!), and a cooling upgrade that includes an alloy radiator (don’t get me started on how big of a plus this is!).

One of the most significant mechanical upgrades is the five-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh, helical cut gears, and a reinforced cast aluminum casing. The transmission is paired to the 3.8-liter XK six-cylinder engine, which produces 265 horsepower. Photo: Jaguar Classic.

Ultimate Getaway

If you’re lucky enough to get one of these Jaguar E-type 60 Collection cars, you’ll get to spend a chunk of your summer in 2022 taking part in the ultimate E-type pilgrimage: a Coventry-to-Geneva drive experience in your new Jag to create your own E-type memories. You can expect breath-taking scenery through the Alpine passes, exclusive hotel stays, and fine cuisine throughout the trip.

Sigh. I will not be one of those six people since Jaguar has seen fit not to allocate one to me. Such is life.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.

Photo and photo source: Jaguar Classic.