The iconic Jaguar E-Type has a long history and was reputedly named the “most beautiful car in the world” by none other than Enzo Ferrari, often considered to be one of, if not the greatest, sports cars of all time. A true classic, and a truly wonderful car to photograph. Here we look at just some car photography we have captured of this wonderful car.

The first ever E-Type Jaguar was the product of dedicated development at the hands of the Jaguar racing team following the D-Types iconic success at the Le Mans 24 hour race in the previous decade. The car was first displayed to the press on 15 March 1961 to an unbelievable level of excitement, giving birth to a true automotive icon - but it almost wasn’t to be. Such was the demand for road tests from the British media that the E-Type scheduled for Geneva was still on UK shores on the evening of 14 March 1961.

So, in fittingly dramatic style, Jaguar executive Bob Berry drove the car flat-out from the factory in Coventry all the way to the Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva - arriving just 20 minutes before the car was to be revealed to the world. Of course, 20 minutes later, pandemonium ensued.

The car was revolutionary in many ways, but it was the stylish and iconic bodywork that set it apart from the rest of the cars currently in production. It also featured faired-in headlights and a centred twin exhaust, which was different to all other production models at the time. Rumour has it that Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made” when it was released.

It wasn’t just the looks that impressed many about the Jaguar E-Type and made it one of the most desirable cars in production, though. The launch price of the car was around £2,250, comparatively valued at £38,000 in today’s money, which made it surprisingly more affordable than many other sports cars. Although the same can’t be said for the cost of the Jaguar E-Type today, as its iconic history has made it an expensive vintage on the modern market.

How many E-Type Jaguars are left?

72,528 Jaguar E-Types have been produced. Of course, it’s impossible to say for certain how many remain as a result of the worldwide spread and varying states of operation and disrepair of many E-Types and those with less known owners are often more anonymous. In the UK today, 4,565 E-Types remain licensed for road use.

E-Type has been - and continues to be - one of the most desirable cars ever made, with celebrity owners including some of the biggest names around. Frank Sinatra is said to have taken one look at the Jaguar upon its 1961 reveal and said “I want that car, and I want it now” - just the beginning of the E-Types love affair with celebrities. Other famous owners included George Harrison, Roy Orbison, George Best, Tony Curtis and Peter Sellers to name a few.