THE E-TYPE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

Let's rewind back to March 1961. You are standing in front of the Jaguar display at the Geneva Motor Show eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the sports car that would define motoring in the 60's and be the fastest production car in the world at the time. The only issue, unbeknownst to you, is that there is no car there to unveil.

The hand-built prototype, 9600HP, had been delayed after being discretely lent to a few journalists to prepare their articles in advance of the unveiling. In true dramatic fashion, Jaguar executive Bob Berry drove the prototype flat out from Coventry to the Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva (almost 1,200km) and arrived just 20 minutes before the big reveal. That left the Jaguar team only 20 minutes to get the vehicle in show-ready condition.

The E-type was an instant success. It balanced sports car performance with every day usability and rewrote the rulebook. As Autocar's 1961 review said: 'It offers what drivers have so long asked for.'

Sixty years have passed, but the E-type is as iconic today as it was in 1961. To build on this legacy and celebrate its Diamond Anniversary, Jaguar has commissioned a limited run of 60 special edition examples of the E-type's successor, the F-Type. Available as a sleek coupé or impossibly glamorous convertible, the distinctive new F-Type Heritage 60 Edition will be hand-finished by Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations team.

All examples will be finished in a solid Sherwood Green paint from the E-type palette, which hasn't been offered since the 1960's. Inside you'll find extended duo-tone Caraway and Ebony Windsor leather interior trim, which isn't normally available on F-Type, as well as the E-type 60th anniversary logo embossed on the headrests of the lightweight performance seats. A unique aluminum console finisher inspired by the E-type's rear-view mirror casing, commemorative treadplates, and an SV Bespoke commissioning plaque also adorn the interior.

Under the bonnet you'll find Jaguar's legendary 575hp supercharged V8 which will provide the soundtrack for your drive as you rocket from 0 to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds. The power is transferred to the road via all-wheel drive while revised dampers, anti-roll bars and rear suspension knuckles keep you planted and provide a heightened driving experience.

At Jaguar Richmond we love classic Jaguars and wanted to be a part of this history, so we ordered one of each. The coupé is already sold, but the convertible is still available and will arrive this summer.  If you or a friend are interested in owning a piece of history, please reach out to our team for more information.