Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) has today unveiled a new E-type Evolution Exhibition at the British Motor Museum to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the launch of the Jaguar E-type. The exhibition tells the story of the evolution of the E-type from the racing C-and D-types of the 1950s, the E2A Prototype, its launch at Geneva on March 15, 1961, and finishes with a couple of very successful Racing V12 E-types from the 1970s.

Currently closed under COVID-19 restrictions the museum is planning to re-open on Monday, May 17 and the exhibition runs to the end of June. It starts with a quick summary of the story of the launch of the E-type at the Parc des Eaux Vives in Geneva, which has now gone into Jaguar Legend.

Jaguar PR man, Bob Berry drove the Fixed Head Coupé (9600 HP) to act as the press car but there was so much demand for press drives that Sir William Lyons instructed test driver Norman Dewis to drive the E-type Roadster (77 RW) from Coventry, across to Geneva, to arrive before 10 am the following morning. 

Especially for this exhibition, JDHT has colour enhanced the famous image of Sir William Lyons with 9600 HP in Geneva and this greets visitors as they arrive at the Mezzanine Gallery. The late Norman Dewis is also there, on video, regaling us with the tale of what has become known as his ‘Mad Dash to Geneva’.

JDHT has put together a very special selection of cars to show their ‘Evolution’ theme, most from their own collection but a few that have very generously been loaned to them for the duration.

The work of aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, who was responsible for the body design of the C, D and E-types, has its own special display which includes a number of wind tunnel models. A series of adverts have been reproduced on the mezzanine wall area.

The exhibition is included in the normal museum admission, which is £14.50 for adults, £12.50 for concessions, £9 for children (5-16 years) and under 5s are FREE.  There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost.

To find out more information about this exhibition visit the website at https://www.jaguarheritage.com/event/etype-evolution-exhibition ENDS.