Jaguar’s super-smooth V12 E-type serves as the cover star for the brand-new May issue of C&SC, joined by a Ferrari vs Lamborghini head-to-head, a classic Range Rover romp through the country and the story of a rescued and rehabilitated Lister Jaguar racer. We talk to the brains behind the menacing Ford Sierra Cosworth and climb behind the wheel of a Tickford Lagonda 3-litre that once belonged to the Duke of Edinburgh, plus recount a tale of long-distance derring-do from Montlhery in 1927.
A stunning Jaguar E-type V12 roadster is the star of the show this month, taking pride of place on the front cover. The much-maligned Big Cat has suffered from comparison to its older, more svelte siblings, but the impressively smooth cruiser has much to recommend it. Malcolm Thorne chats with legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis about the E-type’s changing personality, plus owners who were lured away from earlier examples by the promise of effortless acceleration and a more muscular stance.
The Ferrari 308GT4 and Lamborghini Urraco never fully achieved the poster-child acclaim of the more sporting models of the 1970s thanks to their V8 engines and additional pair of seats – and of course the Porsche 911 – but both have now well and truly emerged from the shadows. With prices shooting upwards in the past 15 years, the choice has never been more difficult: do you go for the charismatic and theatrical Urraco, or the more understated and hugely capable GT4?
A wonderfully regal Lagonda 3-litre offers a touch of glamour as Martin Buckley delves into the history of a car once used as the personal transport of the Duke of Edinburgh. From round-the-world tours aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and run-ins with the police to altercations with unnamed pre-war saloons, the drophead has lived a life of excitement, often spent in the spotlight. No wonder that it’s expected to sell for as much as £450,000 at H&H Auctions’ Duxford sale.
We’ve all dreamt of stumbling across a world-class classic sitting hidden in a barn or languishing in a field. The only difference between us and David Reynolds is that, after discovering a Lister Jaguar tucked behind a propane tank in Noble, Oklahoma, he never woke up. What follows is a fascinating tale of dedication and commitment that led to the car’s full restoration and return to the race circuit.
