The Most Famous Car in the World: The Story of the First E-Type Jaguar - Hardcover

Porter, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 075283181X ISBN 13: 9780752831817

Publisher: Orion Pub Co, 2000

Synopsis

Dramatic good looks, a pure racing pedigree, and genuinely sensational performance: when its prototype emerged from the factory's gates in 1961, the Jaguar 9600 HP set a new standard for automotive glory. Even now, nearly four decades later, its fame has endured. After a pre-release period of intense testing by leading magazines and distinguished international journalists (not to mention breaking speed barriers) this gunmetal gray roadster led an exciting life. It "modeled" for catalogs, was used for publicity stunts, belonged to a high-profile film director, passed to several auto enthusiasts, and finally, into the hands of author Philip Porter. In 1999, through the talents of Jaguar's most skilled specialists, the 9600 HP underwent a total, fanatical restorations-and now it is shared with all the world. Enjoy this tribute to a legend of the road-how it came to be, what it did, who owned it, and how it was restored to its former magnificence.

About this title

About the Author

Philip Porter is the world’s leading authority on Jaguar cars, the company and the personalities, with 12 Jaguar books to his name, including an award-winning definitive history of the E-type. He is one of the World’s leading Jaguar sports car collectors and also owns the E-type which appeared in The Italian Job. He has just written and published the first in a set of CD-Roms on the E-type. His other interests range from The Sherlock Holmes Society to racing airships.

From Booklist

Car enthusiasts will appreciate Porter's history of the prototype of the Jaguar E-type, which was unveiled in 1961. This prototype was the custom-manufactured progenitor of "what was to be the most exciting production car the world has yet seen." The Jaguar motor company built only a handful of prototypes for the E-type (which was called the XK-E in the U.S.), and all but one were destroyed. The one not destroyed, with registration number 9600 HP, which was the one introduced to the public on that day in 1961 in Coventry, England, is "profiled" here through its long, up-and-down history. Prototype 9600 HP served as "press car" for Jaguar, for use in ads and brochures; it was owned subsequently by a film director and then a racing driver. After that, it came into the possession of collectors and, finally, into the author's hands, who lovingly restored it to the sleek grandeur it possessed at its 1961 unveiling. A fascinating piece of automotive history. Brad Hooper
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Edition details

• Publisher: Orion Pub Co
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 075283181X
• ISBN 13: 9780752831817
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256