What's the greatest car ever produced by British factories? It's a hot debate, usually battled out by enthusiasts with their own classics parked in the garage.

Recently the discussion was carried out online by classic car owners who were asked to vote for their top choice British model, with the Jaguar E-Type coming out on top in the poll.

While the E-Type's win comes as little surprise, we were surprised to see the Mini down in third place.

Here's the order as voted for in the survey - and now you can tell us which you think is the nation's greatest four-wheeled product in our own poll.

Best British motor of all time: Classic car enthusiasts have named the Jaguar E-Type as the nation's best four-wheeled creation ever - but do you agree?

In the same survey, the Mini was voted only the 3rd best British car ever. You can cast your own vote in our poll below

The poll of vintage car aficionados was conducted by classic motor insurer Hagerty, with the intention of revealing the overall winner today, St George's Day.

It tasked a panel of motoring journalists to create a shortlist of the best British-built classic cars of all time, then put the vote to thousands of owners of classic cars, asking them to name their top three classics.

More than 1,150 votes were cast on its website in the last few weeks, with the top honour going to the Jaguar E-Type.

At final count the Jaguar proved almost twice as popular as any other car – even the Aston Martin DB5 that's synonymous with James Bond.

Top 10 British cars of all time in poll 1. Jaguar E-Type 2. Austin-Healey 3000 3. Mini 4. Aston Martin DB5 5. Aston Martin DB4 GT 6. Jaguar XK120 7. Ford GT40 8. Lotus Elan (MkI) 9. Land Rover (Series I) 10. Jaguar D-Type Source: Hagerty UK poll of 1,150 voters

Surprisingly, the Austin-Healey 3000 was voted above the Mini in the St George's Day celebration survey

Aston Martin fans might be unhappy to see the Bond-favourite DB5 languishing down in 4th spot in the poll

The DB5 was closely followed by the DB4 GT in the order of the best British cars of all time

The Jaguar E-Type was launched in 1961 and such was its popularity that it remained in production for more than a decade, until 1975.

When the car made its debut at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, only one E-Type was planned to be displayed.

Poll What is the Best British car of all time? Jaguar E-Type Austin-Healey 3000 Mini Aston Martin DB5 Aston Martin DB4 GT Jaguar XK120 Ford GT40 Lotus Elan (MkI) Land Rover (Series I) Jaguar D-Type What is the Best British car of all time? Jaguar E-Type 273 votes

Austin-Healey 3000 47 votes

Mini 121 votes

Aston Martin DB5 50 votes

Aston Martin DB4 GT 19 votes

Jaguar XK120 46 votes

Ford GT40 41 votes

Lotus Elan (MkI) 27 votes

Land Rover (Series I) 44 votes

Jaguar D-Type 18 votes Now share your opinion





But on the orders of William Lyons, Jaguar's founder, another car was dispatched from Britain at short notice and driven through the night, by chief test driver Norman Dewis, to reach Switzerland in time to wow the world.

Dewis then spent time taking VIPs and journalists for passenger rides, and the car left showgoers speechless.

One of those was Mr Ferrari himself.

Enzo Ferrari described the E-Type as the 'most beautiful car in the world' and it went on to be widely recognised as one of the greatest sports cars of all time - making its victory in the vote not all that surprising.

However, there was a bombshell when the results showed that the iconic Mini didn't even make it to second place in the order.

It was pushed into third by the surprise runner-up, the Austin-Healey 3000.

Aston's DB5 pipped the DB4 GT and Jaguar XK120.

Slightly more modern classics such as the Ford GT40 (assembled in Slough) and Lotus Elan Mk1 were also placed, ahead of the likes of the Series 1 Land Rover and three-time Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-Type.

Do you agree with the order? Let us know by casting a vote in our own poll to name which of these is the best British car of all time.

If you think another British model should be included, let us know which one in the comments section below.

The Jaguar XK120 took sixth spot in the list, beating some very respective motoring legends

The Ford GT40 - which was assembled in Slough - also made it into the standing, despite its very American heritage

The Lotus Elan also made it into the list. The iconic British sportscar is now one of the most collectible period sportscars built in the UK

Speaking about the results and the surprise bronze bedal for the Mini, Marcus Atkinson, managing director at the insurer said: 'The Mini often cleans up in popularity contests but this time it was shown a clean pair of heels.

'As a Mini driver, I don't begrudge the result because it was beaten by two of Britain's most charismatic sports cars.

'The Jaguar E-Type is a timeless piece of design that has rightly been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, while the Austin-Healey 3000 is a quintessential British roadster that is perfect for blowing away the cobwebs on a sunny Sunday morning.

'But I just know that the debate over the best British classic car will continue to rage on among car enthusiasts.'

The legendary Series 1 Land Rover only managed 9th spot in the Hagerty survey