Even automobile journalists have their favorite cars and though there are several for which I have great affection, Jaguar rates number one for me and has held that spot ever since I first saw an XK120 roadster. In my opinion, no manufacturer of mass produced cars created as many beautiful models as Jaguar and the remarkable thing is, that beauty didn't just apply to sports cars. The sedans, with a couple of rare exceptions, looked just as swift and elegant.

In 2010 the company celebrates its 75th anniversary, having revitalised the brand with three new models, beginning with the award-winning XF, a four door, five seater that has the looks of a coupe and the heart of a sports car, followed by the new XK coupe and convertible and recently the ground-breaking XJ sedan. Together they continue a tradition that began fifty years ago when the lineup first included a sports car, a sports sedan, and a full-size luxury car. Racing, of course, is a Jaguar tradition, as its legendary record at LeMans attests. The company is returning to the racetrack this year with its new JaguarRSR XKR GT2 and will compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Remarkably the race cars were also known for their beauty of form, none more than the legendary D-Type, which later lent its lines to the E-Type of the 1960's, often described by critics as the most beautiful car ever built.




During the year Jaguar will celebrate its 75th anniversary at some of the world's most glamorous automotive settings, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival in the UK; the Concours D'Elegance at Pebble Beach in the US, and at the Mille Miglia classic in Italy. No doubt Jaguar clubs all over the world will add to the celebrations with special events of their own. Meanwhile you might like to feast your eyes on the gallery of classic Jaguars that Autoblog has assembled for your viewing pleasure.