The Jaguar E-type is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and Jaguar Classic has debuted quite a pair of tributes.

On March 15, 1961, two legendary E-type vehicles debuted the model in Geneva, Switzerland. One of these vehicles was the Opalescent Gunmetal Grey coupe “9600 HP” driven by publicist Bob Berry. The other was the British Racing Green roadster “77 RW” driven by Normal Dewis, who was Jaguar’s test driver.

Now, Jaguar Classic is offering restored versions of these two historic cars. Called E-type 60 Collection vehicles, these cars will mirror the two classics that debuted 60 years ago.

Jaguar Classic will produce 6 pairs of the cars, and all 12 have been restored and are sympathetically uprated 3.8-liter examples.

“Sixty years after its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the talented team at Jaguar Classic are releasing the ultimate birthday present to the E-type: the E-type 60 Collection,” said Dan Pink, Director, Jaguar Classic. “The attention to detail demonstrates how this project has been a labor of love for our designers, engineers, craftspeople and partners. Exquisite detailing combined with enhanced usability ensure these E-type vehicles will be coveted and enjoyed for decades to come by their discerning owners, starting with a once-in-a-lifetime Coventry to Geneva pilgrimage for our six customers and their guests in Summer 2022.”

The E-type 60 Collection vehicles, which are sold as a pair (one E-type 60 Edition coupe, one E-type 60 Edition roadster) are finished in exclusive Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green paint colors, respectively. These color formulations are inspired by the original 1961 colors and will not be used on any other Jaguar vehicle. Restored and refined by the experts at Jaguar Classic in Coventry, the E-type 60 Collection vehicles combine flawless quality and exceptional engineering know-how.

The most significant mechanical upgrade is a specially developed, five-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh, helical cut gears, and a reinforced cast aluminum casing designed to deliver enhanced reliability and greater durability, as well as closer gear ratios and smoother gear changes. 

The 265hp, 3.8-liter six-cylinder XK engine benefits from an authentic, 1961-style alloy radiator, with electric cooling fan and electronic ignition for everyday usability, as well as a polished stainless-steel exhaust system. This new exhaust system is dimensionally identical to the standard mild steel system but produces a slightly deeper tone and offers greater longevity.

The vehicles also feature a range of unique E-type 60 design elements developed in conjunction with Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director, subtle enhancements for improved usability and drivability, and the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with built-in satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. 

The most distinctive visual highlight on each vehicle is an engraving by artist and designer Johnny Dowell, aka “King Nerd,” on the center console of each car, recalling the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original vehicles. Each piece of art takes more than 100 hours to create by hand, in consultation with the owner.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to design and engrave the stories of two epic drives by two Jaguar legends in these iconic and special cars,” Dowell said. “A permanent reminder of the anniversary, everywhere these E-type vehicles go, the memory of Bob Berry and Norman Dewis will travel with them.”

Each Smooth Black leather-trimmed coupe features a stylized route map plotting the key locations along the route taken by Bob Berry, with an overhead sketch of the E-type and the phrase, “I thought you’d never get here,” recalling the reaction of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons to the arrival of Berry just moments before the unveiling.

For the six Suede Green leather-trimmed roadsters, the engraving tracks the route taken by Dewis on his last-minute drive to Switzerland, with a sketch of the vehicle and an instruction by Lyons to Dewis: “Drop everything and bring the open top E-type over.”

In addition to the center console, the hood badge, clock face within the tachometer, fuel cap and chassis plate are all finished with a commemorative E-type 60 logo created by Jaguar Design, featuring the years “1961-2021.” 

A light beech-rimmed steering wheel, as fitted to 1961 vehicles, features a 24-carat gold horn button. Each vehicle is supplied with a tailor-made E-type 60 car cover, tool roll and jack storage bags to complete the enhancements and exemplify the attention to detail lavished on each vehicle.

In Summer 2022, the six customers and their guests will take part in the ultimate E-type pilgrimage: a Coventry-to-Geneva drive experience with their vehicles to create their own E-type memories, enjoying breath-taking scenery, epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – exclusive stays and fine cuisine throughout the trip.