Silverstone Classic to celebrate E-type's 60th with special catwalk display

This summer’s chart-topping ‘Greatest Hits’ race card at the Silverstone Classic event will see the return of two spectacular E-Type Challenge showdowns staged on the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

These will now be enhanced by a very special ‘Catwalk’ display spotlighting the evolution of Jaguar’s stunning supermodel plus a special birthday track parade for all E-type owners attending the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival.

Over the E-type's 14-year production lifetime no fewer than 13 different models were introduced and exquisite examples of each and every single one of those will be glistening on the ‘Catwalk’ display at The Classic.

“Every supermodel deserves a catwalk!” extolled Nick Wigley, CEO of The Classic promoter Goose Live Events. “When it comes to British style icons the E-type is right up there and we are thrilled, once again, to be honouring another remarkable landmark in its wonderful history in such splendid style at The Classic.”

Two of the earliest E-types, kindly loaned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, will add yet more sparkle and pertinence to the all-embracing ‘Catwalk’ showcase. The first is 77 RW, the oldest surviving open E-type and the car famously driven out to Geneva in a dramatic 17-hour overnight run by Norman Dewis, then Jaguar’s Test and Development Engineer. The second (HDU 555N) is the final E-type off the production line – the last of a special run of 50 cars carrying a commemorative plaque.

“The First and Last E-type Roadsters are normally on display in the Collection Centre at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon where we keep them both running and driving and use them wherever possible” explained Tony Merrygold, Vehicle Collection Manager at Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. “We were planning to drive them both to Geneva for this year's celebrations, but COVID got in the way so we and the cars are looking forward to an excellent weekend at Silverstone and spreading the love with a much wider audience.”

While the two dedicated E-type races and dazzling ‘Catwalk’ are certain to be showstoppers this summer, E-type owners are also offered the chance to join in the diamond anniversary festivities with a Saturday evening track parade plus the opportunity to win an enticing prize.

Although, with track time at a premium, this summer’s parade will not be on the same scale as in 2011 when no fewer than 767 E-types took to the Silverstone circuit to set a Guinness World Record, a significant turn-out is welcomed.

Indeed, to encourage owners to participate, all those exhibiting E-types at The Classic will be entered into a prize draw to win one of Agora Models’ amazing E-type kits. Aimed at model building hobbyists, these exquisitely detailed, museum-quality delights are dispatched in self-build segments over 12 months with a retail value of £1,150.

As ever, all tickets will give access to both racing paddocks, open trackside grandstand seating, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings and much of the fabulous family entertainment on offer including funfair rides, driving experiences and stunt shows.

Ticket-buyers can also book with confidence with tickets carrying a COVID booking guarantee which means that if a change in current Government guidelines prevents spectators attending, all ticket-buyers will have the option to either transfer their ticket to the following year or receive a full refund.