Two Jaguar E-Types - a gray fixed-head coupe and a green racing roadster- launched in 1961. Unveiled by Jaguar company founder Sir Williams Lyon at the Geneva Motorshow, the Jaguar E-Type was surprisingly praised by Enzo Ferrari, who described it as the most gorgeous sports car of all time. Why wouldn't he? It had a lithesome body with exquisite proportions and even beat the then beauties such as the Morris 1000 and the Austin A40 in terms of aesthetics.

RELATED: 10 Classic Sports Cars That Are Almost As Gorgeous As The Jaguar E-Type

For unknown reasons, in America, the Jaguar E-type was known as the Jaguar XK-E. In the UK, Prince Harry opened the door for Megan Markle and they drove off in an electric Jaguar E-Type at their royal wedding, an event that brought the classic car back to the minds of many. But here are 10 more things that car lovers could have forgotten about the Jaguar E -Type.

10 It Had An Almost-Botched Launch

Front 3/4 view of a green E-Type Roadster
autoevolution.com

Yes, both Jaguar E-Types almost never made it to their debut. The E-Type Coupe was in the hand of journalists who were test-driving it on highways. Anything could have happened to it, resulting in a no-show, but publicist Bob Berry made sure it arrived just in time.

The rear of the E-Type V12
driving.co.uk

But that's not the most exciting part, the open-top roadster version's late arrival at the same show is. What had happened? Well, upon realizing the Jaguar E-Type could be something big, on the previous night, Jaguar's founder instructed their famous test driver Norman Dewis to drive the open-top roadster to Switzerland. From Jaguar's factory in Coventry to Geneva – a 17-hour drive. Luckily, it did arrive, but only 20 minutes before the motor show started on March 15th, 1961 – a close call.

9 Production

Via RM Sotheby’s

After all the attention it received from the world's press, the Jaguar E-Type was already in full-scale production in the second year due to high demand. For 14 years, over 70,000 units were sold, with a few early Series 1 E-Types being produced with a flat floor and external hood latches.

Sadly, in June 1972, production fell to 3,705 cars. The jaguar E-Type woes continued when all coupes were required to have internal roll bars by the U.S. safety regulations, forcing Jaguar to cease the E-Type coupe production. Despite continuing the Jaguar E-Type roadster production, in February 1975, it was also discontinued because of too many unsold cars in dealerships. To continue the E-Type legacy, Jaguar revealed the F-Type in 2013, and in 2021, Jaguar is celebrating 60 years of the E-Type with 12 truly special E-Type recreations.

8 Unique Suspension, Advanced Wheels & Braking System

1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III
Via Pinterest

When it came to the suspension, the E-Type really did revolutionize car mechanics. It was the first car to have an Independent Rear Suspension(IRS), which gave it an unmatched handling and riding experience. Its spoked hub-style wheels and the pencil-slim wheel rim easily set it apart today compared to other classics today. To make it more tractable, they were wrapped with large thick tires.

RELATED: 10 Forgotten Facts About The Jaguar XFR-S

via BestCarMag

As for the braking system, the E-Type was also among the first mass-produced cars with Dunlop disc brakes on all wheels – a very advanced feature in the '60s. With such a well-built car, Jaguar managed to make it the fastest production car in the world for a while back then.

7 A Beautiful Car

1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 quarter front
Via Motor1

Drawing inspirations from the C and D-Types' streamlined body, the E-Type was beautiful from all angles, all thanks to its Opalescent Gunmetal exterior with perfectly-edge lines. The original E-Type had plastic hood-covered headlights, centered dual tailpipes, and a long sculpted nose for a unique look. There were external hood latches at the back of the front wheels, with the hood being made of several sections screwed together. To top it off, its overall low build gave it a businesslike air touch.

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The Series 1 Coupes looked more stunning but were fewer. The open-topped E-Type roadsters, which are the majority with 33,996 produced across all generations, weren't as sleek-looking as the coupes but were cool enough to be in.

6 Racing Competitions

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The 3.8-liter straight-six engine with 265bhp used in the Jaguar E-Type helped Jaguar's Type C and D race cars to 5 Le Mans victories in the '50s. It's no surprise the E-Type also borrowed the Type C and D race cars' sleek aerodynamic profile. On April 15th, 1961, at Oulton Park, the Jaguar E-Type car won its first race (25 laps), beating an Aston Martin DB4 GT and Ferrari 250 GTs.

A month later, at the Spa Grand Prix, a GT-event, Michael Parkes won the silver medal just 1½ minutes behind the Ferrari Berlinetta. Other wins include a 1963 Australian GT Championship and a 1980 win in the National Championship SCCA C-Production Class.

5 Unique Interior

The Interior Of The Jaguar E-Type
via besthqwallpapers.com

The Jaguar E-Type's standout leather interior, wooden three-spoke racing-type steering wheel, and center console logo perfectly presented this car's classy touch. It had low deep bucket seats covered with cushions that had extra padding to improve comfort.

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Continuation 3
RM Sotheby's

It also boasted large round black lighted gauges, which had pebble-grained aluminum on the background, making it as attractive on the inside as it was outside. But its interior had some disappointing attributes; there were no shelves or door pockets at the back of the seats, and it had a cramped cockpit – unsuitable for tall people.

4 Performance

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The 1961 Jaguar E-Type was fitted with the D-Type-based triple S.U. carburetor 3.8-liter straight-six X.K. engine, which is globally considered as one of the best engines ever made. It churned out 265bhp, giving the car a top speed of 150mph - crazy speed those days. 0-60mph? That only took 7 seconds.

RELATED: The Story Behind The Jaguar E-Type's Disappointing Replacement

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The main downside was the four-speed 'Moss gearbox' that was challenging to use since it demanded a heavier touch than usual. Besides, one had to double-clutch down to the first gear. The 1971 Jaguar E-Type had a new 5.3-liter V12 engine, one of the best V12 engines ever made. It produced 272bhp and the car now managed 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds thanks to the improved torque.

3 Transformation Over Time

Jaguar E-Type coupe
via driving.co.uk

The best-looking Jaguar E-Types were the Series 1 cars. But in March 1966, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type was unveiled as a transformed 2+2 car with longer doors and wheelbase, additional weight (140 more lbs), and a taller windscreen - losing some of the original's appeal.

Jaguar E Type
Via Pendine

It did 0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds and achieved a lower top speed of 136.2mph. In 1967, due to the changing U.S. emission regulations, Jaguar released a 1-year modified Series 1.5, which had open headlights with Perspex headlight covers and black plastic rocker switches. It was replaced with the tweaked Series 2, which came with a better cooling system but bigger repositioned indicators, a prominent grille, and a more aerodynamically slanted windscreen. The final Series 3 car was launched In 1971, but the E-Type had lost much of its original purity.

2 Famous Owners, Movies & Events

Mr JWW Helm Jaguar E Type 3
via YouTube

Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, George Best, Roy Orbison, Brigitte Bardot, and Steve McQueen, to mention a few, bought the Jaguar E-Type. In the '60s, it had become a symbol of the cultural landscape.

Jaguar-E-Type-Series-1
via mecum

What's more, it also featured in movies such as James Bond's "Thunderball," Audrey Hepburn's "How to Steal a Million," and lately, in the title sequence of "Austin Power's International Man of Mystery." By gracing the Royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess in 2018, it also earned the title of one of the best royal wedding cars of all time.

1 A Cheaper Sports Car In The '60s

1965-Jaguar-E-Type-42-Roadster
via hemmings

While most people should be forgiven for thinking that the iconic Jaguar E-Type cost a fortune, surprisingly, it only went for around $3,000. Today that translates to approximately $57,000. It was one of the least expensive sports cars of its time, yet it was fast and dazzling compared to the '60s exotics it competed against, such as the $5,520 Aston Martin DB4 and, well, the Ferrari 250GT which cost a whopping $18,000.

Jaguar-E-Type-V12
via Driving

This, of course, would then explain why so many of them got sold in a span of 14 years. The Series 1 Jaguar E-Types, which are the most sought-after models, now command around $400,000 while Series 2 and 3 Jaguar E-Types cost $80,000, and $40,000, respectively.

NEXT: Here's Where The Jaguar E-Type From Austin Powers Is Now