Jaguar E-Type 50 year's celebration released on DVD

Since it rolled off the Jaguar production line in 1961, the iconic E-Type has been one of the most desirable cars in the world, a heady mixture of style, elegance, performance, passion, good looks and engineering excellence. New on DVD from Duke comes a wonderful celebration, made to mark the E-Type’s 50th anniversary, which recalls the history and sporting pedigree of the British masterpiece. Viewers revisit the legendary machines, meet the experts and discover how the E-Type is being readied for another five decades of automotive distinction.

Archive film and glorious modern footage of meticulously maintained surviving examples chart the story of Jaguar and the racing successes of the 1950s which paved the way for the ultimate road-going sportscar, the E-Type. The programme hears from leading expert Philip Porter about his E-Type collection, which includes the famous 9600 HP which was hurriedly driven from Coventry to Geneva for the car’s launch and a roadster film buffs may recognise from The Italian Job.



Notably, this celebration also includes the recollections of former Jaguar chief development test engineer Norman Dewis about his epic overnight drive from the factory to the Geneva Motor show in 1961 – covering the distance in just 17 hours, including the Channel crossing, and at an average speed of 68mph! Jaguar E-Type – A Celebration also joins some of the special events held in 2011 to mark the E-Type's 50th anniversary, including a journey from Coventry to Geneva by 50 lovingly maintained E-Types, the E-Type Challenge racing series and the Silverstone Classic, attended by more than 1,000 E-Types and including a record-breaking parade involving more than 800 of these marvellous machines.

Finally, viewers hear from Henry Pearman, whose company Eagle E-Type is giving this classic a whole new lease of life. Renowned for its ‘ground up’ restorations, Eagle returns E-Types to their former glory and, building on the existing design excellence, makes this 50-year-old icon an essential for modern driving – described by Jeremy Clarkson as his ‘car of the century’!

Jaguar E-Type – A Celebration is released 28 November 2011 on DVD, priced at £19.99 and will be available from leading video outlets or direct from Duke Video.

Source: Wheels Unplugged