Pictured above: Norman Dewis, who was the chief development
test engineer at Jaguar for 36 years
The test driver responsible for developing one of the most
iconic cars in automotive history has spoken about his and
Coventry's proud association with the vehicle.
The Jaguar E-type, which was designed and built in Coventry, is
one of the most famous cars in the world and this year it is
celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Norman Dewis, 90, was the chief development test engineer at
Jaguar for 36 years and played a major role in developing a
staggering 25 cars during his time with the company.
However, he still singles out the creation of the E-type in 1961
as one of the most significant landmarks in the history of, not
just the company, but the industry as a whole.
"I would say the E-type was one of the biggest breakthroughs in
motor engineering history ever - not just for Jaguar," he said.
"We broke all traditional methods of building a car and built it
around aircraft principles rather than the normal concept of
starting with a chasis and adding everything onto that.
"It was two years before Formula One cars started adopting our
principles - so we were two years ahead of F1 with these cars which
is an indication of just how much of a breakthrough this design
was.
"When the E-type was launched in 1961 we were selling a car that
could do 150mph to the general public and there were not many
people who could say that.
"Ferrari perhaps, but they only made a small number, so you
would have to wait a long time, and they would be very expensive -
we were selling this for £2,000."
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the Ricoh Arena
will host an impressive tribute to the E-type with around 50 of the
iconic vehicles on display inside the Jaguar Exhibition Hall.
Owners will be on hand to chat to people attending the event ahead
of Coventry City's 3pm Championship clash with Watford on Saturday,
April 2.
Owners are travelling from countries as far away as the USA and
Germany to take part in the gathering. Many of those attending will
also be taking part in a 50th anniversary rally from Jaguar's
Browns Lane site, where the car was created and developed, to the
Geneva Motor Show.
The trip is a tribute to a legendary journey undertaken by Dewis
in 1961 following the launch of the E-type at the Geneva Motor
Show. Such was the media excitement and clamour for demonstration
runs that Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons instructed chief test
driver Norman Dewis to drive through the night from Coventry to
bring another model to Switzerland.
"Coventry to Dover took me two hours and I completed the run to
Geneva in just 11 hours. I averaged 68mph and there were no
motorways back then so it was quite a drive," he said.
"It makes me feel very proud to think I was involved and played
a big part in the development of such an iconic car.
"Seeing all these cars under one roof at the Jaguar Exhibition
Hall will make the event very special.
"The E-type is a Coventry car. It was built, designed and tested
by Coventry people and a lot of workers who played a part in
producing the car will still be in the city and I am hoping a lot
will come along and share their memories on the day."