On the 15th of March 1961, the Jaguar E-Type made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. It is rumoured that upon first seeing it Enzo Ferrari called it "the most beautiful car ever made".
The Jaguar E-Type, also known as the Jaguar XK-E, was produced from 1961 to 1975 and was designed by Jaguar's chief engineer, William Heynes, and was based on the D-Type racing car. It featured a monocoque construction, independent suspension, and disc brakes all around, which were all cutting-edge technologies at the time. The car was powered by a 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produced 265 horsepower, which was mated to a four-speed manual transmission.
Over the years, the E-Type underwent several changes and updates, including the introduction of a 4.2-liter engine in 1964, and a long-wheelbase version in 1966. In 1971, the Series III was introduced, which featured a V12 engine, flared wheel arches, and a redesigned front end. The Series III was also the first E-Type to feature power steering and air conditioning as standard equipment.
The E-Type was extremely successful and was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. It was also a very capable sports car, with a top speed of over 150 mph and excellent handling. It was popular with celebrities and racing drivers alike, with famous owners including Steve McQueen and George Harrison.
Production of the E-Type ended in 1975, with a total of 72,520 cars produced over its 14-year lifespan. The E-Type has since become a classic car icon and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.