Jaguar E-type leading poll to find the best British car

Event showcasing classic and veteran cars will name the vehicle voted as the best British car when it takes place at Alexandra Palace this October

Classic & Sports Car will name the best British car of all time at The London Show when it takes place this autumn, and Jaguar's E-type is currently the favourite to take the title.

The final result is being decided by a public vote, with the eventual winner coming from a shortlist of 10 finalists. The E-type is currently in first place by a narrow margin, but faces competition from other finalists including the Austin Seven, Bentley Speed Six, Ford GT40, Jaguar's XK SS, Lotus Seven, McLaren F1, Mini Cooper S, Range Rover and the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The top 10 is available on the Classic & Sports car show’s website - and voting closes on 1 August.

As many as 100 key figures from the classic car world were polled to decide the shortlist, including the likes of McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray, Lotus head of design Russell Carr, Pink Floyd drummer and classic car collector Nick Mason, Dire Straits frontman and classic car enthusiast Mark Knopfler and motor racing author and commentator Simon Taylor.

The decision process was led by the Classic & Sports Car editorial team, and the discussion took in classics such as Aston Martin DB5, Bristol 405, Ford Escort Mexico, Jaguar D-Type, Rover SD1 and even the Gordon Keeble.

“It’s enormously exciting that we will be crowning the best British car ever at Classic & Sports Car – The London Show,” said Classic & Sports Car group editor James Elliott.

"The E-type is without doubt one of the most beautiful and desirable British cars ever. I’m not surprised to see that it’s currently leading the thousands of votes we’ve received. It is a true icon."

More than 300 classic and vintage cars will be on display at Alexandra Palace when the show takes place.

Taking place from 30 October to 1 November, the event is being supported by private collectors, classic car dealers and motor manufacturers.

The show is timed to coincide with a number of classic motoring events taking place in the capital, including the London to Brighton veteran car run, the Regent Street motor show and the Bonhams veteran car auction.

Elliott said: “Classic & Sports Car - The London Show is the essence of our magazine written large on the international stage and broadcast from one of London’s most dramatic venues.

"We are putting everything we know about classic cars into this show – and as a result it’ll be a must-attend event. At Classic & Sports Car, passion counts for everything, so whether you’re one of the world’s richest collectors, a classic car dealer or simply a classic car enthusiast, you’ll be warmly welcomed at Alexandra Palace.”

Among the famous faces lending support to the show is Sir Stirling Moss OBE, who said: “To me, London is the centre of the world and it is essential that it has a top-quality classic car show. Alexandra Palace is the perfect venue and, with Classic & Sports Car being the world leader in its field, it is an event people should definitely add to their diaries.”

Racing legend John Surtees added: “With events such as Goodwood, Britain has established itself as the centre of the classic car world. It therefore seems only fitting that the capital, though rich in world-beating veteran events, has so far been starved of a fixture showcasing post-war cars that reflects its status. Now it’s getting one.”

A selection of the best classic car dealers in the world have been confirmed as exhibitors at the show.

Classics from manufacturers such as Jaguar, Rolls-Royce and Bentley will all be on display at the event. The line-up of dealers that will be exhibiting includes JD Classics, Hexagon Classics, Frank Dale & Stepsons, New Forest Classic Cars, Maranello Classic Parts, Graypaul Classic Cars and DD Classics, with more set to join before the show commences.

These dealers are all set to bring several models from their stock, with JD Classics promising to display a high level of cars. It has sold cars from manufacturers such as Aston Martin and Ferrari in the past, and JD Classics owner Derek Hood said of the event: “We’re very excited to be involved in Classic & Sports Car – The London Show. Alexandra Palace is a sensational location for this event. Rest assured we will more than match its drama with a display of the finest historic cars.”

Paul Michaels, chairman of Hexagon Classics, also spoke of the company's excitement at being involved with the event. “We’re huge fans of Classic & Sports Car magazine, so we’re very proud to be involved with this exciting new London event," he said. "I have no doubt it will be extremely well attended - and the fact that it is being held at such a majestic location as Alexandra Palace is the icing on the cake.”

Hexagon Classics is likely to display some of its traditional stock, including Porsche models, although it has recently become an official Lotus dealer, so it will also feature an original Lotus Elite on its stand.

If more luxurious models are your thing, Bentley and Rolls-Royce specialist Frank Dale & Stepsons will most likely have something of interest, as the company specialises in everything from pre-war Wraiths to 1960s Silver Clouds.

New Forest Classic Cars specialises in restored examples of the Jaguar E-Type Series 1, and Daniel Smith, senior team leader, said: “We will be showing off what we think are the finest-prepared E-Types in the world.”

More information on Classic & Sports Car - The London Show can be found here. See the results of Autocar's poll to find the best-ever British car here.

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