Grace Kelly and Jaguar: icons of the 1970s

The American actress and Princess Consort of Monaco remains one of the most admired women around the world for her timeless style and elegance. Because the aura it transmitted did not leave indifference to designers and big fashion firms, such as Gucci or Hermès. When Hitchcock’s muse attended a red carpet, she was the most photographed and admired star in the press.

Grace kelly made the Principality of Monaco synonymous with glamor. Since her death almost four decades ago, the media are looking today for the heir to the elegance of the former actress and princess among the European royal families. And like all celebrities, she had very defined tastes, so it was not uncommon for her to choose the Jaguar E-Type or the Jaguar MK2 as her favorite cars when it came to getting around. Two classics desired by the most demanding and with a great power of seduction that evoke luxury and the golden age of Hollywood.

His passion for these models is not surprising as the Principality of Monaco is known for its great love of the car. His Monte Carlo Rally or the Grand Prix are obvious examples of this. Her husband Rainier of Monaco was also unaware of this sensitivity to the motor, who had a great love for this world, which even led him to participate in some competitions or to have a collection of classics that he began to gather in the late 1950s. .

But if there were two cars that Grace Kelly especially liked, they were the aforementioned E-Type and MK2. The Jaguar E-Type is a classic model of the British firm, which like the princess, captured all eyes between 1961 and 1975. Described as “The most beautiful car ever made”; by Enzo Ferrari, the Jaguar E-Type epitomized the elegance and excitement of the 1960s and became the car of choice for the international jet-set, supermodels and rock stars alike. In 1996, the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) acquired one of them as part of its permanent collection thanks to its outstanding features and its never seen before design.

The E-Type made its world debut in Geneva in 1961. A 3.8 Opalescent Gunmetal Gray Coupé with registration 9600 HP; was sped to Switzerland from Coventry – the city where he was born – the night before launch. Never before, and quite possibly since, has a car engendered such feelings of passion, delight, and a sense of British pride. Built with two body types, roadster and coupe, it was powered by a powerful 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that could reach a top speed of 240 km / h. In addition, it offered a clean and aerodynamically efficient silhouette.

A model who achieved iconic status along with other giants of design, art, music and fashion that in March 2021 will commemorate a unique occasion, its 60th anniversary. In celebration of this legend, the brand’s classic vehicle division, Jaguar Classic, will create six limited edition pairs of restored E-Types as a tribute to two of the most famous examples: the 9600 HP coupe and the 77RW convertible.

Along with this model, the Jaguar MK2 also became the princess’s reference car for her exclusive trips, attending official events and attending the Monaco Grand Prix. Introduced in 1959, it was the first premium sports saloon to hit the market, and it has been considered one of the most elegant of all time. It was characterized by its exceptional performance and a unique style that has survived the years. Manufactured with a 3.8 inline 6-cylinder engine, it marked a revolution in its time. A car with a level of luxury and comfort worthy of a princess.

These two icons, like Grace Kelly, are still admired six decades later by both its beauty and its timeless style.