The Jaguar E-Type has been voted as the best British classic car of all time in a poll conducted by Hagerty to celebrate St George’s Day. The insurer tasked a panel of motoring journalists to create a shortlist, before asking the nation to choose their top three.
After more than one thousand votes were cast, the revered Jaguar E-Type proved to be almost twice as popular as any other car, with the Austin-Healey 3000 in second place and the original Mini in third. In fourth slot was the Aston Martin DB5 popularised by the James Bond blockbuster, Goldfinger, with another Newport Pagnell creation, the DB4 GT, rounding out an illustrious top five.
In sixth place is another Jaguar – this time the XK120 – while the British-built Ford GT40 was voted into seventh spot. The Mk1 Lotus Elan, Land Rover Series 1 and Jaguar D-Type complete the top 10.
Marcus Atkinson, Managing Director of Hagerty UK, commented: “The Mini often cleans up in popularity contests but this time it was shown a clean pair of heels. As a Mini driver, I don’t begrudge the result because it was beaten by two of Britain’s most charismatic sports cars.”
