Source: Motorpress /Jaguar Land Rover South Africa
Jaguar Classic E-type collection drive honours memorable Geneva trip from 1961
Jaguar Classic invited E-type 60 Collection owners and their guests on the ultimate Geneva pilgrimage in honour of the original car’s world debut in 1961
Jaguar Classic invited E-type 60 Collection owners and their guests
Pretoria, 4 July 2022 – Limited-edition Jaguar E-types built to commemorate 60 years since its launch have completed a memorable pilgrimage to Geneva – a journey inspired by the iconic drive made by Bob Berry and Norman Dewis in 1961.
Ahead of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, Berry – Jaguar’s PR Manager at the time – drove an E-type ‘flat out’ to Switzerland – an Opalescent Gunmetal Grey fixed-head coupé known as ‘9600 HP’ where it debuted and captured the industry’s attention and imagination. As a result, Dewis – Jaguar’s Test and Development Engineer – was requested to drive overnight from Coventry to Geneva in a British Racing Green roadster – ‘77 RW’ – to fulfil the incredible demand for test drives the very next day. It was worth it: Jaguar left Geneva with over five hundred orders.
To mark the momentous occasion and remember that original journey, Jaguar Classic invited owners of the exclusive E-type 60 Collection models, and their guests, on a bespoke Geneva weekend pilgrimage. On the drive they had the chance to build their own memories, taking in breath-taking scenery, epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – luxury stays and fine cuisine along a route that honoured and recognised the journey Bob Berry and Norman Dewis made in 1961.
The route was inspired by Bob Berry and Norman Dewis’ ‘flat out’ overnight drives to deliver the first two E-types to the Geneva Motor Show more than 60 years ago
E-type 60 Collection models were sold as a pair – one fixed-head coupé finished in Flat Out Grey and one roadster finished in Drop Everything Green
The exclusive Coventry-to-Geneva pilgrimage allowed owners to create their own E-type memories, enjoying breath-taking scenery and unique experiences en-route
Guests enjoyed epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – luxury stays and fine cuisine throughout the Jaguar Classic trip
Exclusive event partners ensured customers received a luxury experience from start to finish, with bespoke luggage, clothing, food and more provided
Each E-type was provided with ‘The Sound of the E-Type 60 Collection’ playlist which included Top 10 UK and US chart songs from the week of March 15th
Emma Styles, Head of Commercial, at Jaguar Classic, said: “Bob [Berry] and Norman’s [Dewis] epic journey to Geneva has gone down in automotive history and we thought it only right that the owners of the E-type 60 Collection were given the chance to build their own memories.
“Driving in a limited-edition E-type creates memories. Our bespoke pilgrimage to Switzerland allowed customers to enhance their E-type experience with unique visits, unforgettable roads, luxury gifting and the chance to make their own history.”
Partners also contributed to help create a truly one-of-a-kind experience for owners taking part. Tailor Richard George created a bespoke ET60 companion bear and face masks using surplus fabric and leather from production of the E-type 60 Collection’s interior, while Bennett Winch provided exclusive customer luggage.
Fortnum & Mason provided luxury hampers filled with exquisite goods to fuel the travellers as they began their journey, while Valmont provided skincare products for them to enjoy.
Other gifts included Charabanc’s unique leather-housed luxury car fragrance that kept the vehicles fresh and fragrant, while perfectly designed driving shoes from Tods made driving the long distances even more stylish and comfortable.
Jaguar Classic curated a driving track list for different stages of the journey, all of which featured in the Top 10 UK and US charts the week of March 15th, 1961, when the original journey was made.
The route
The customer trip to Geneva was a more relaxed one than Dewis’ fast-paced 11-hour dash to Geneva. Day one saw attendees enjoy an overnight stay at Long White Cloud at the Monkey Island Estate in Bray-on-Thames in Berkshire – where legendary racing driver Sir Stirling Moss was brought up.
Stirling Moss first drove a Jaguar in competition in 1950 which led William Lyons to ask him to lead the Jaguar Team, on the day before his 21st birthday. He drove with great skill and success for Jaguar Cars until the end of 1954.
The second day of the E-type 60 Collection drive is when the pilgrimage really started, departing Long White Cloud and heading for AeroLegends in Headcorn in Kent, where a Fortnum and Mason picnic provided the perfect pre-drive lunch amongst iconic Spitfire planes before heading across the Channel to France. From here, the group drove on to Chateau Montreuil – located in a medieval village of Montreuil-sur-Mer on the Opal Coast. The 1930s chateau was originally built by the Fould-Springer family as a guest house for friends and family. Over the decades, the property has played host to a select group of individuals, including Sir Roger Moore, Whitney Houston, and the British Royal Family.
Day three of the trip saw the drivers set off from Chateau Montreuil for Epernay – France’s iconic Champagne region – for an exclusive visit to Maison Pol Roger for a private tour and lunch, before heading for Chateau de la Resle for the next overnight stay, originally built in the 17th century but uninhabited since the Second World War until it was recently restored and turned into a beautiful hotel.
About Jaguar Land Rover Classic
Jaguar Land Rover Classic is the official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts and unforgettable experiences for classic Jaguar and Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide.
Our rapidly growing team of highly-skilled engineers, graduates and apprentices at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Coventry specialises in outstanding Reborn restorations for both brands, and building exclusive New Original continuation cars, such as the Jaguar C-type, D-type, XKSS and Lightweight E-type.
All enquiries from prospective Jaguar Land Rover Classic customers should be directed to: info@classic.jaguar.co.uk / +44 (0) 203 601 1255 / www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic
For further Jaguar Classic media information, visit www.media.jaguar.com
For further Land Rover Classic media information visit www.media.landrover.com
For regular updates from Jaguar Classic, including the progress of the C-type Continuation, follow the new official @Jaguar.Classic account on Instagram.
Ahead of the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, Berry – Jaguar’s PR Manager at the time – drove an E-type ‘flat out’ to Switzerland – an Opalescent Gunmetal Grey fixed-head coupé known as ‘9600 HP’ where it debuted and captured the industry’s attention and imagination. As a result, Dewis – Jaguar’s Test and Development Engineer – was requested to drive overnight from Coventry to Geneva in a British Racing Green roadster – ‘77 RW’ – to fulfil the incredible demand for test drives the very next day. It was worth it: Jaguar left Geneva with over five hundred orders.
To mark the momentous occasion and remember that original journey, Jaguar Classic invited owners of the exclusive E-type 60 Collection models, and their guests, on a bespoke Geneva weekend pilgrimage. On the drive they had the chance to build their own memories, taking in breath-taking scenery, epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – luxury stays and fine cuisine along a route that honoured and recognised the journey Bob Berry and Norman Dewis made in 1961.
The route was inspired by Bob Berry and Norman Dewis’ ‘flat out’ overnight drives to deliver the first two E-types to the Geneva Motor Show more than 60 years ago
E-type 60 Collection models were sold as a pair – one fixed-head coupé finished in Flat Out Grey and one roadster finished in Drop Everything Green
The exclusive Coventry-to-Geneva pilgrimage allowed owners to create their own E-type memories, enjoying breath-taking scenery and unique experiences en-route
Guests enjoyed epic roads – including iconic Alpine passes – luxury stays and fine cuisine throughout the Jaguar Classic trip
Exclusive event partners ensured customers received a luxury experience from start to finish, with bespoke luggage, clothing, food and more provided
Each E-type was provided with ‘The Sound of the E-Type 60 Collection’ playlist which included Top 10 UK and US chart songs from the week of March 15th
Emma Styles, Head of Commercial, at Jaguar Classic, said: “Bob [Berry] and Norman’s [Dewis] epic journey to Geneva has gone down in automotive history and we thought it only right that the owners of the E-type 60 Collection were given the chance to build their own memories.
“Driving in a limited-edition E-type creates memories. Our bespoke pilgrimage to Switzerland allowed customers to enhance their E-type experience with unique visits, unforgettable roads, luxury gifting and the chance to make their own history.”
Partners also contributed to help create a truly one-of-a-kind experience for owners taking part. Tailor Richard George created a bespoke ET60 companion bear and face masks using surplus fabric and leather from production of the E-type 60 Collection’s interior, while Bennett Winch provided exclusive customer luggage.
Fortnum & Mason provided luxury hampers filled with exquisite goods to fuel the travellers as they began their journey, while Valmont provided skincare products for them to enjoy.
Other gifts included Charabanc’s unique leather-housed luxury car fragrance that kept the vehicles fresh and fragrant, while perfectly designed driving shoes from Tods made driving the long distances even more stylish and comfortable.
Jaguar Classic curated a driving track list for different stages of the journey, all of which featured in the Top 10 UK and US charts the week of March 15th, 1961, when the original journey was made.
The route
The customer trip to Geneva was a more relaxed one than Dewis’ fast-paced 11-hour dash to Geneva. Day one saw attendees enjoy an overnight stay at Long White Cloud at the Monkey Island Estate in Bray-on-Thames in Berkshire – where legendary racing driver Sir Stirling Moss was brought up.
Stirling Moss first drove a Jaguar in competition in 1950 which led William Lyons to ask him to lead the Jaguar Team, on the day before his 21st birthday. He drove with great skill and success for Jaguar Cars until the end of 1954.
The second day of the E-type 60 Collection drive is when the pilgrimage really started, departing Long White Cloud and heading for AeroLegends in Headcorn in Kent, where a Fortnum and Mason picnic provided the perfect pre-drive lunch amongst iconic Spitfire planes before heading across the Channel to France. From here, the group drove on to Chateau Montreuil – located in a medieval village of Montreuil-sur-Mer on the Opal Coast. The 1930s chateau was originally built by the Fould-Springer family as a guest house for friends and family. Over the decades, the property has played host to a select group of individuals, including Sir Roger Moore, Whitney Houston, and the British Royal Family.
Day three of the trip saw the drivers set off from Chateau Montreuil for Epernay – France’s iconic Champagne region – for an exclusive visit to Maison Pol Roger for a private tour and lunch, before heading for Chateau de la Resle for the next overnight stay, originally built in the 17th century but uninhabited since the Second World War until it was recently restored and turned into a beautiful hotel.
About Jaguar Land Rover Classic
Jaguar Land Rover Classic is the official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts and unforgettable experiences for classic Jaguar and Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide.
Our rapidly growing team of highly-skilled engineers, graduates and apprentices at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Coventry specialises in outstanding Reborn restorations for both brands, and building exclusive New Original continuation cars, such as the Jaguar C-type, D-type, XKSS and Lightweight E-type.
All enquiries from prospective Jaguar Land Rover Classic customers should be directed to: info@classic.jaguar.co.uk / +44 (0) 203 601 1255 / www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic
For further Jaguar Classic media information, visit www.media.jaguar.com
For further Land Rover Classic media information visit www.media.landrover.com
For regular updates from Jaguar Classic, including the progress of the C-type Continuation, follow the new official @Jaguar.Classic account on Instagram.
Motor Show more than 60 years ago
E-type 60 Collection models were sold as a pair