Jaguar’s iconic E-Type has been named as the greatest car ever road tested by one of the world’s oldest car magazines.
The sports car, which was launched in 1961, beat the McLaren F1 and Mini to the title as Autocar celebrates its 5,000th car review.
Making up the top five was the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Praised at the time for its performance, handling, ride comfort and price, the E-Type is regarded as a masterpiece and groundbreaking piece of British engineering.
Three-time F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart described it as an “incredibly beautiful car which revolutionised motoring” while Sir Stirling Moss admitted he was “stunned” by the “special and stylish” Jaguar.
And with desirability comes an impressive modern day price-tag with models rarely fetching less than £50,000 when they come on the used market.
Autocar editor Chas Hallett said: “No car in history except the Jaguar E-type has been so successful in putting together such an amazing package together so totally convincingly.
“It has a design that has transcended the decades and is as much in demand today as it was when Autocar first tested it almost half a century ago.
“The Jaguar E-type fully deserves its permanent exhibition space in the New York Museum of Modern Art.”
Autocar was the first magazine to road test a new car when it reviewed the Austin 7 in 1928.
Its current road test team cited the E-type’s dynamics, effortless power and timeless design among the chief reasons for its victory.
Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director added: “The Jaguar E-type was a leader in design and handling in the 1960’s and ’70’s and this accolade shows that it is a car that maintains a sense of magic.
“It’s a British icon and testament to Sir William Lyons and Malcolm Sayer.
“The influence of the E-type runs through the veins of Jaguar design and as we developed our new XKR-S we continued the passion for creating beautiful fast cars that brought the E-type to life fifty years ago.”