It's been 50 years since the E-Type first took to the roads and turned envious heads. But why is it so iconic and remained so popular? Others have also achieved it; the Aston Martin DB5, the Ford GT and the Mini. In other fields icons have arisen: Rayban Aviators, Levi 501s, the Fender Stratocaster, even the BIC ball point.
What is it that turns one car, a pair of jeans or a pen into something more? Is it the aesthetics? The ergonomics? Perhaps it's the concept or marketing. Whatever it is, there is one thing that they all share in common. They are all brilliant at what they do and answer their pitches perfectly. Luxurious and executive, affordable reliability, durable and trendy or just cool. The Stratocaster, the electric guitar that all but the rogues aspire to, is the product of its precursors, design, testing and research.
And so, although the E-Type is undoubtedly still one of the coolest cars on the road, to me it will always be a symbol of all the arduous work that that is endured but never seen.
