Great Cars: Jaguar

This documentary tells the story of one of the great cars, and one of the world's most famous car makers — Jaguar. In 1961, Jaguar set out to capture the world market with the legendary XKE or E-Type Jag. The Jaguar E-Type stole car lovers' hearts and is still considered to be one of the most romantic roadsters ever produced.

The Jaguar Company actually got its start 40 years earlier in Lancashire, England, as the Swallow Sidecar Company. Within five years, the company branched out into automobile body manufacturing and all models began with S.S. for Swallow Sidecar. But as World War II came to an end, “SS” had a sinister connotation. This unique car company needed an exceptional name, and Jaguar Cars Limited found one in the name of a wild breed of jungle cats. In 1961 they introduced a car that was as exotic as their name – the E-Type Jaguar. It became a vibrant symbol of the Swinging Sixties (1960s). Jaguar tumbled from this lofty perch as its quality and drive for innovation vanished. Only after being rescued by doting Ford Motor Company in 1989-1990, and then sent packing — sold to India's Tata Motors Ltd. in 2008, the Jaguar “Cat” is once again leaped ahead and took its place as a leader in the automotive jungle.