Jaguar E-type 50th Anniversary Tour In March 2011, the iconic Jaguar E- type celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its launch at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show. In recognition of this momentous occasion, Jaguar Heritage has invited 50 E-type owners to participate in this exciting tour. Sunday 27th February 2011 The event starts at the historic Coombe Abbey Hotel with registration from 9.00am to 5.00pm. During the day there will be the opportunity to attend Race Retro at nearby Stoneleigh, the opening historic motor event of the year, or visit the Jaguar Heritage Museum at Browns Lane. In the evening, participants will have the chance to relax and get to know each other at a wonderful Civic Reception at the Coventry Transport Museum, home of one of the UK's finest collections of motor vehicles. Monday 28th February 2011 The cars will depart from Coventry on the first leg of the route to the famous Castle Combe race circuit where there will be a chance to drive a few laps of the circuit before enjoying lunch. From Castle Combe the route will continue south over Salisbury Plain to Goodwood for a night at the Goodwood Park Hotel and dinner in Goodwood House, home of Lord March. Tuesday 1st March 2011 A great start to the day, driving up the Goodwood Hillclimb and then on to the Goodwood Circuit for a few laps. The route then travels east across the beautiful South Downs to Folkestone to cross the Channel using Eurotunnel. From Calais the route will continue south to Reims, where there will be a Champagne reception and dinner at the famous Taittinger Champagne House. Wednesday 2nd March 2011 The day will start with a lap of the historic Circuit de Gueux in Reims. Travelling at a more leisurely pace, the journey will follow a scenic route south towards Dijon, stopping off at the Dijon-Prenois Circuit. Here, there will be the opportunity for light refreshments and laps of the circuit, before continuing on to the beautiful Château de Chailly estate for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Thursday 3rd March 2011 The final leg of the journey to Geneva crosses the spectacular Haut-Jura mountain range on some very dramatic roads. On arrival at Geneva, lunch will be hosted at the Parc des Eaux-Vives - the location of the original Press Launch of the E-type. For the next two nights, participants will be able to relax and enjoy accommodation in the luxurious 5-star Hotel InterContinental. In the evening there will be the opportunity to visit the Geneva Motor Show providing a chance to see the very latest Jaguar products on the Jaguar stand. The rest of the evening will be free for participants to explore Geneva at their leisure. Friday 4th March 2011 A change of transportation with a boat trip along Lake Geneva with lunch included. The finale of the event will be a spectacular Gala Dinner at the Hotel InterContinental. The dinner will be attended by a host of Jaguar personalities representing both the company's long and distinguished history and its bright and exciting future. Saturday 5th March 2011 Participants will be free to return to the UK at leisure with their own flexible return booking with Eurotunnel. There will be an option to break the journey with an overnight stay at Reims at participants' own expense. Michael Scott was fortunate to be able to photograph some of the first arrivals at Coombe Abbey Hotel on Sunday 27 th February, and below are a selection of pictures
Win Percy joined the tour in a Jaguar XF specially adapted with hand controls Pocket Classics made an appearance on the evening of Monday 28 th February, displaying one of their miniature children s motorized E-types in the dining room at Goodwood House, which apparently went down very well with the diners! Xclusively Jaguar News April 2011