E-Type 60 Collection Edition

History

The 2020 September edition of Classic Marque provided details regarding the announcement by Jaguar that it would restore six pairs of E-Types to honour the cars that were first shown to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961.

According to official tales from the Jaguar storybook, back then the 9600 HP Opalescent Gunmetal Grey 3.8-litre Fixed-Head Coupé was driven “flat out” from the Coventry factory the night before its presentation by Bob Berry, Jaguar’s PR manager. It then arrived with just minutes to spare at Parc des Eaux Vives to greet special guests. And because it became a major success with the audience Jaguar decided it needed a second car in Geneva.

That would be, of course, the British Racing Green 3.8-liter roadster with the 77 RW registration plate – who after “dropping everything” was driven the next night by renowned test pilot and engineer Norman Dewis to satisfy the crowd.

Known as the “2021 E-Type 60 Collection”, Jaguar at that time (September 2020), had already acquired the 12 donor 3.8 litre vehicles ahead of careful restoration at Jaguar’s Classic Works headquarters in Warwickshire. Each of the six pairs consisted of one Flat Out Grey ‘9600 HP’ Coupé and one Drop Everything Green ‘77 RW’ roadster, the new paints being a tongue in-cheek reminder of the trials and tribulations Berry & Dewis had to endure behind the scenes.

2022

The 6 pairs of cars were completed and presented to their new owners. Those factory restored cars and owners have now recreated the legendary drive that made the E-Type a star. “Bob [Berry] and Norman’s [Dewis] epic journey to Geneva has gone down in automotive history and we thought it only right that the owners of the E-type 60 Collection were given the chance to build their own memories,” said Emma Style, Jaguar Classic’s head of commercial.

Naturally, the owners completed the drive at a more leisurely pace. Over four days, the driver were treated to stays at luxury resorts and châteaux and were gifted luxurious treats. On the first night, the drivers were allowed to stop at the Monkey Island Estate in Bray-on-Thames, where Sir Stirling Moss grew up. The second night stopover was at Montrueil-sur-Mer on the Opal Coast. Specifically, they stayed at Château Montreuil, which was built in the 1930s and has played host to stars like Sir Roger Moore, Whitney Houston, and the British Royal Family. On the third day of the trip, the Jaguars headed for the Champagne region and stayed in a 17th century castle. The fourth and final day involved the most driving and the owners finished it in Geneva, where the E-Type was originally shown off.

In addition to accommodation, participants were also given facemasks made out of surplus leather and fabric left over from the creation of the E-Type 60 Collection. Bennett Winch, meanwhile, provided custom luggage, to name just a few of the special treats given to Jaguar’s customers.

The cost of each pair of E-Types has not been released but believed to have been at least £650,000. .

The “2021 E-type 60 Collection” was announced in Sept 2020 in advance of 2021 anniversary celebrations. Six fully renewed pair of 3.8 litre examples were built for 6 lucky collectors.

Information for this story from CarScoops.