Jaguar E-Type: The Car That Made the World Rethink "Beautiful"
A car so striking on its 1961 debut that one of the era's most influential designers reportedly called it the most beautiful car ever made — and six decades on, the claim still doesn't sound like exaggeration.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Shape That Needed No Explanation
Some designs age into classics gradually, earning the label over decades of reappraisal. This one arrived fully formed, stopping people in their tracks the moment it was unveiled, and it's never really stopped since.
Did Enzo Ferrari Really Call It "the Most Beautiful Car Ever Made"?
It's one of the most repeated quotes in automotive history, and the honest answer is: probably not quite in those exact words. The line traces to two secondhand sources — Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis, who was working the stand at the 1961 Geneva reveal, and Enzo Ferrari's own biographer Gino Rancati, writing decades after the fact. Neither produced a recorded interview or public statement. The version Dewis actually attributed to Ferrari in period was rather more backhanded: "What a beautiful car, we've made nothing better than that. The only problem, Norman, is it doesn't have a Ferrari badge on it" — genuine admiration, but sharper and more competitive than the polished "most beautiful car ever made" quote that's since taken on a life of its own. Whichever version is accurate, the reaction inside the Geneva hall in March 1961 was reportedly unlike anything the show had seen, with demand so overwhelming that Jaguar had a second car driven overnight from Coventry just to keep up.
Series 1, 2 or 3: What Actually Changed
Launched in 1961, the E-Type drew heavily on the engineering and racing pedigree of Jaguar's D-Type competition car — covered on our dedicated D-Type page — translating motorsport-derived aerodynamics into a genuinely usable road car. The Series 1 (1961-1968) is the purist's choice, particularly the earliest "flat floor" cars, running a 3.8-litre straight-six before growing to 4.2 litres in 1964. The Series 2 (1968-1971) brought larger, more prominent bumpers and headlights to satisfy US safety and emissions rules, trading some of the original's purity for practicality. The Series 3 (1971-1975) went further still, growing to a 5.3-litre V12 and, for the first time, offering an automatic gearbox — genuinely more relaxed and usable, if less coveted by collectors chasing the original 1961 shape in its purest form.
How Much Does a Jaguar E-Type Cost Today?
Well-documented Series 1 examples, particularly early "flat floor" cars and roadsters, command the strongest premiums at auction, with values having climbed steadily as the pool of unrestored original cars shrinks. Later Series 3 V12 cars remain comparatively more accessible while still carrying the same badge and silhouette that reportedly stopped Enzo Ferrari in his tracks — a genuinely appealing route into E-Type ownership for buyers who want the shape and the noise without the Series 1 premium.
Generations at a Glance
| Version | Years | Engine | Gearbox | Body | 0–60mph | Top Speed | Price New (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | 1961–1968 | 3.8L (1961–64), 4.2L (1964–68) straight-six | 4-speed manual (all-synchro from 1964) | Roadster, Coupe, 2+2 (from 1966) | approx. 6.7s | approx. 153mph | approx. £2,097 |
| Series 2 | 1968–1971 | 4.2L straight-six | 4-speed manual | Roadster, Coupe, 2+2 | approx. 7.0s | approx. 151mph | approx. £2,245 |
| Series 3 | 1971–1975 | 5.3L V12 | 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic optional | Roadster, 2+2 Coupe | approx. 6.4s | approx. 150mph | approx. £3,139 |
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Sources: Jaguar Heritage Trust, RM Sotheby's auction archives, Wikipedia.