9600 HP – The Book Of Oldest Jaguar E-Type

12 July 2021 Redazione Lifestyle, News, Supercars Lounge

Edited by Roberto Marrone

9600 HP, a number plate that for Jaguar enthusiasts certainly does not need explanations, since it is the one fitted on the Jaguar E-Type FHC unveiled in Geneva in March 1961, next to the same founder of the Company – William Lyons – proud and satisfied for the great success that the new car was enjoying. There was so much pressure that test driver and racing driver Norman Dewis was called urgently to bring a second one. The journey took place overnight with Norman arriving on time making a single pull from Coventry to Geneva and it is necessary to keep in mind that the roads of the era were not like today. That example of the FHC in Geneva had been built in 1960 and had carried out speed tests on the M1 motorway, but also some important journalists had had the opportunity to drive it before the official launch, among them: John Bolster “Autosport”, Bill Boddy “Motor Sport”, John Langley “The Telegraph”, Harold Nockolds “The Times” and Frenchman Bernard Cahier. Afterwards a thorough test was carried out by “Autocar” where in Belgium reached the speed of 150 mph, at that time a real record for a road legal grand tourer.

Back to the book, this beautiful volume is written by Philip Porter who has made over 35 motoring masterpieces, as well as having founded “Porter Press International” in 2005, discovering a lot of interesting stuff regarding the 9600 HP E-Type. Being a great Jaguar enthusiast he became the owner of this very model by purchasing it in 1977, but the car was not in good condition and remained in a barn for a long time. Philip began the restoration in 1999 by relying on the experts hands of Classic Motor Cars, trying to maintain everything that could be restored. After 40 years, the car was able to retrace the Coventry – Geneva route. It has since appeared in “Top Gear” and many other magazines and was the overall winner of the Cartier Style et Luxe competition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it had to battle with some of the most exotic cars in existence from all over the world. The history of the model is described in detail, accompanied by valuable photographs of its early life, in addition to those relating to the entire restoration phase and enriched by numerous diagrams. You can find unpublished documents and historical anecdotes and the author also ranges over the characters of the time who worked with stubbornness and passion to achieve those successes. Technicians, engineers and drivers, who with their art have brought Jaguar on top of the world. A book that cannot be missing in the library of any Jaguar fans, also because those who made it experienced certain events in first person alongside the protagonists and, not by chance, years ago wrote the great story of Sr. William Lyons. One of the many books written by Porter is about the intriguing history of the car for Orion Publishing entitled “The Most Famous Car in the World”. “Autocar” celebrated its 5,000^th road test, stating that “The E-Type is the best” and introducing the car in depth. Another edition, with a photo of the 9600 HP at Millbrook on the front cover, stated: “The greatest sports car in the world runs at 150mph and it’s British.”