Jaguar E-Type Named Best British Car Ever

Jaguar’s classic E-Type roadster was deemed the best British car of all-time by an online poll sponsored by Classic & Sports Car magazine.

The iconic sports car edged out nine other finalists, including the Austin Seven, Bentley Speed Six, Ford GT40, Jaguar XKSS, Land Rover Range Rover, Lotus Seven, McLaren F1, Mini Cooper S and Rolls Royce Silver Ghost for the title. The short list voted on by the public was selected by a panel of 100 industry experts and assorted celebrity car enthusiasts.

Representative models for all 10 finalists will be displayed at this weekend’s inaugural Classic & Sports Car show in London. 

Jaguar produced the E-Type from 1961 to 1975. When it was launched, Enzo Ferrari reportedly called the E-Type the “most beautiful” car ever made. It was previously named the top sports car of the 1960s by Sports Car International.

The oldest surviving model, the 1961 77 RW, is the one being displayed in London. Famed Jaguar test driver Norman Deweis drove the same car from Coventry to Geneva in 1961 for the car’s world debut at the Geneva auto show.

To qualify for consideration, a vehicle had to have either been produced by a British.-owned carmaker or primarily designed and developed in the U.K.

Other notable classic models being shown at the London event include the oldest surviving Aston Martin: a 1921 A3 that was recently refurbished, as well as an Aston Martin DB4GT and Ferrari 250GT California Spider.