Two of Britain’s most iconic sportscars – the Jaguar XJ-S and Lotus Esprit – are celebrating their 50th birthdays in 2025, and both legendary 20th-century automotive icons will be marking their golden anniversaries with special Sunday track parades at this summer’s Silverstone Festival (22–24 August).
Though sharing a birthday, nationality, and a similar two-door coupé ethos, the pair of seventies automotive pin-ups were, in reality, very different creations.
Built just up the road from Silverstone in Coventry, the XJ-S was a radical departure from the adored E-type it succeeded – more luxury grand tourer than out-and-out sportster. Early models came equipped with a big front-mounted V12 engine and, priced at £8,900, were at the time the most expensive production car ever marketed by Jaguar.
Later versions featured a lighter straight-six engine, and targa-style convertibles followed during its 21 years in production, during which 115,000 examples were produced.
Launched to rave reviews at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, the Giugiaro-penned Lotus Esprit was a very different beast. For starters, the wedge-shaped head-turner with its pop-up headlights featured a fibreglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis. It also reflected the company’s F1 expertise, with its 2-litre engine mounted midships and inboard rear brakes.
Originally priced at just under £6,000 – considerably less than the XJ-S – the Esprit saw 10,675 examples hand-built at Hethel in Norfolk before the final S4 derivation was phased out in 2004.
With their movie-star looks, both the Esprit and XJ-S were big hits with filmmakers. The Lotus was famously converted into a submarine for Roger Moore in the James Bond blockbuster The Spy Who Loved Me. The Jaguar also had strong 007 connections, with M driving one in several of the Ian Fleming-inspired films.
Ian Ogilvy further popularised the XJ-S on television screens, taking over the role of Simon Templar from Moore in The Return of the Saint.
“It’s no surprise that both the Jaguar XJ-S and Lotus Esprit are so loved by car enthusiasts—they hark back to an era when British sportscars were revered around the world,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director. “We are expecting a great turnout of both these favourites at the Festival and look forward to seeing them celebrate their golden anniversaries parading on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.”
With track parades taking place on Friday and Saturday as well as Sunday, the XJ-S and Esprit won’t be the only models in birthday mode over the end-of-summer Bank Holiday weekend. Other notable milestones include 90 years of the Aston Martin Owners Club and 70 years of the Triumph TR3.
In addition, a number of anniversary parades carried over from last year – postponed due to weather and an oil spill on the racing asphalt – will return. These include 75 years of Abarth, 60 years of the Ford Mustang, and 30 years of the MX-5 Owners Club.
Whether or not celebrating a marque or model milestone, all 100+ registered car clubs will be in pole position at the Festival, with members displaying their cherished classics at the heart of this fun-fuelled event.
Members can also take advantage of a special 2-for-1 ticket offer when booking a display package. Like all Festival tickets, these provide access to both racing paddocks, open trackside grandstands, and an incredible line-up of family-friendly activities and attractions. Highlights include live music from headliners Natasha Bedingfield, Craig David presents TS5, and Ministry of Sound Classical – plus traditional funfair rides, stunt shows, and loads more.
Further information on the 2025 Silverstone Festival and full ticket details are available on the Silverstone Festival website.
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