Jaguar E-type Voted As The Best British Car Ever!

The Jaguar E-type has been voted as the Best British Car Ever in a global public vote. The poll results were revealed at the inaugural Classic & Sportscar — The London Show, running from 30 October to 1 November at Alexandra Palace.

The shortlisted cars for the poll 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 XKSS. The Jaguar E-type garnered the most votes of the shortlisted cars.

The Jaguar E-type is one of the most recognisable Jaguar's ever built and especially, its design, stops traffic even today. The driving experience, on the other hand, has stood its test of time. When it was launched, Enzo Ferrari called the E-type "The most beautiful car ever made".

The E-type was first showcased at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show and was an instant hit. One of the display cars 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. Many celebrities and VIPs such as Sir Jackie Stewart, Steve McQueen, George Best, Frank Sinatra, and Brigitte Bardot owned the E-type.

DriveSpark Thinks! The Jaguar E-type still seduces the young and old, and is a very worthy winner.

Jaguar E-type overview (Production: 1961 - 75)

1961 Jaguar E-type model:

• 1961 Engine: 3.8-litre, six-cylinder, carburetted

• 265bhp, 325Nm of torque, and a top speed of 240km/h

• 0 – 100km/h in 7 seconds

1964 Jaguar E-type model:

• 1964 Engine: 4.2-litre, six-cylinder, carburetted

• 265bhp, 384Nm of torque, and a top speed of 240km/h

• 0 – 100km/h in 7 seconds

• 1⁄4 mile drag race time was 15 seconds

1971 Jaguar E-type model

• 1971 Engine*: 5.3-litre, V-12, carburetted

• 272bhp, and 0 – 100km/h in less than 7 seconds

*The 5.3-litre engine was originally developed for Le Mans.