New York salutes E-type as art

New York yesterday honoured the classic E-type Jaguar by declaring the British sports car an official "work of art".

At the same time Jaguar unveiled a new open-top version to its classic 1960s model at the US city's motor show.

The British car maker chose New York to show off the new XK8 convertible because it expects seven in 10 of all models built to be sold in the US. The coupe version of the new car was given its public debut at last month's Geneva motor show.

Billed as the successor to the XJS but looking more like the famous E- Type, the XK8 is expected to sell for just under pounds 60,000 from October.

While motoring fans drooled over the new machine, an original E-type roadster went on permanent display alongside paintings and sculptures at the New York Museum of Modern Art. It is only the third ever car to get such an honour - the others being a Ferrari Formula 1 racer and a Pinanfarina Cistalia.

A spokeswoman for Jaguar said: "This is a great privilege to be honoured by the museum in this way as the new model was being unveiled in the city."

The E-type first went into production 35 years ago and the convertible version was also unveiled in New York.

Michael Dale, president of Jaguar Cars North America, said: "When Jaguar introduces an all-new sport car it is a significant event in the automotive world. To have the world debut of the XK8 convertible in New York underscores the importance of the North American market to Jaguar."