Top cat leads the line for Goodwood Classic Solutions

In association with

When you think of classic 1960s sports cars it’s very difficult to not snap to thoughts of the Jaguar E-type – one of the prettiest sports cars ever made and a cultural icon to boot.

It’s little wonder then that the E-type is currently the most requested subject for cover from Goodwood’s new Classic Solutions service, which aims to take the hassle out of insuring your prized four-wheeled possession.

The E-type made headlines from the moment it was launched in 1961. Jaguar founder Sir Williams Lyons was so confident in the model that he ordered PR guru Bob Berry to drive it to the Geneva Motor Show and straight in front of the waiting press and public, arriving with just 20 minutes to spare. Lyons then had test driver Norman Dewis do the exact same thing the next day with the convertible.

Among the crowd was Enzo Ferrari, who (begrudgingly) proclaimed the E-type to be “the most beautiful car in the world”.

And the performance figures backed it up too. Boasting 265bhp from its 3.8-litre straight-six engine, a top speed of 150mph and a price tag half that of the equivalent Aston Martin or Ferrari, E-types flew out of the factory doors.

Malcolm Sayers’ sleek design turned heads but the car also featured proper engineering transferred directly from Jaguar’s C- and D-type Le Mans winners, with the E benefiting from chassis, suspension and braking developments honed around the roads of La Sarthe.

The original Series 1 cars did have some flaws – overheating on early models and fragile bonnet catches – but these S1 cars have become the most desired among collectors. A 4.2-litre version arrived for 1964, then a 2+2 in 1966 before Series 2 cars came in and the Series 3 from 1971 with the wonderful V12 variant.

For Goodwood Classic Solutions, the Series 1 and 2 cars are currently the most requested. One of the best features of the service is that you can get a quote to cover your classic online 24/7, with Goodwood doing all the legwork for you to source and supply three tailored quotes for cover to suit your needs.

As an example, cover for a 1965 4.2-litre S1 E-type starts at £175 annually. Not bad for a car that still resonates so strongly with the classic car community

For more information on Goodwood Classic Solutions, and for buying guides on cars including the Jaguar E-type, visit goodwood.com/classic-car-insurance.