Q&A: The making of a superstar
Last Updated: June 23, 2011
Why was the E-Type so special? It has been voted one of the most iconic cars of the 20th century, with its long bonnet, wire wheels and sexy curves. Enzo Ferrari reportedly called it "the most beautiful car ever made" after it was first released.
When was it made? Production started in 1961, and the E-type was discontinued in 1975.
What was the performance like? It had a top speed of 149.1mph and could accelerate from 0–60mph in 7.1 seconds.
Is the Growler a replica or a kit car? Absolutely not. Think of it more as a homage, like remaking a classic film, but using new actors and a different script.
The Growler. Quite an unusual name for a car, but perhaps better than the Prowler or the Big Fat Pussy Cat, no doubt other alternatives that were considered.
The reason? Because the Growler is related to a Jaguar, based on the body and mechanics of its XKR muscle car, using the same supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, but tweaked to produce even more output, some 600-brake horse power.
And the body and components will be made of carbon fibre, making it lighter, and thus faster. The plan is to be able to go from 0 to 60mph in under four seconds.
This car is not just about speed, but also style. The aim of the Swiss company Classic Factory, working to Swedish designs, is to try to recreate the style of Jaguar's most iconic car, the E-Type, first produced 50 years ago.
It was the ultimate sports car of the 1960s, but affordable, priced well below a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and the AC Shelby Cobra.
If all goes to plan, the first Growler will roll off the production line next year. Pricing depends on how many cars are made. If it is only a handful, each car could cost £1 million (Dh5.9m).
Top 5: Films featuring the Jaguar E-Type
1 Play Misty for Me
2 The Deer Hunter
3 The Blues Brothers
4 Terms of Endearment
5 Love Story
If there is a lot of demand, they could come down to £500,000. Quite a lot of inflation when you consider that when the first Jaguar E-Type was sold, it was priced at just £2,097.
The Quote: Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car. American writer EB White