Every month, Charlotte AutoFair, Charlotte, NC's most celebrated biannual antique car show for over three decades, enjoys showcasing one of their favorite collector cars. This month, they want to talk about the 1961 Jaguar E-type, the quintessential classic British car. When a layperson thinks “classic car,” or perhaps what the road was like in the 1960s, they may well be visualizing the stunning and road-dominating Jaguar. Take a look at some more facts about this vintage vehicle:

• A Very Special Engine: The 1961 Jaguar E-type was originally styled by aerodynamicist Malcom Sayer and Sir William Lyons, and sported a DOHC inline six cylinder XK engine. This engine was originally developed in 1948 and contributed to making the Jaguar XK120 the world's fastest series production car. It became even more powerful with every new Jaguar launch!

• A Series Of Drafts: The core of the work put into the C-type and D-type models—and their numerous one-off prototypes and experimental designs—manifested themselves into the E-type. The first prototype of the E-type was completed in 1957, and there would still be many incarnations to come.

• One Of The First Affordable Sports Cars: At the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, it was revealed that the Jaguar E-type was actually much cheaper than similarly performing vehicles from Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Chevrolet. In later road tests, The Motor magazine eventually found the 9600 HP (the seventh E-type prototype) to be capable of reaching 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, and a maximum speed of 150 mph—a historical landmark!

Every spring and fall, over 10,000 antique car enthusiasts gather throughout Charlotte AutoFair's 150 acres to show off their favorite collector cars. To learn more about participating in this classic event as a buyer, vendor, or guest, call (704) 841-1990, or visit their website. You can also like them on Facebook for news about upcoming vintage auto shows.