“Jaguar’s Classic team has set a high standard with the Reborn E-Type,” Alex Goy wrote for Road & Track in 2020, in his review of the E-Type restoration program that Jaguar is now years into. “It’s not a perfect car to drive, as no E-Type is, but it is a perfect E-Type.”
50 years on from the last production E-Type, Jaguar is still enmeshed in fine-tuning its timeless silhouette — and now, even resurrecting. it One lucky customer in Southeast Asia has two factory-fresh Series I Jaguar Classic E‑type Commemorative models headed their way thanks to the team at Jaguar Classic, with the two vehicles being built according to original blueprints, according to Autocar.
The goal of each and every Jaguar Classic E-Type rebuild is to embody the ethos of the truly mythical sports coupe, from inception to Series III; these newborn models are closer to the inception side of things.
“As the original creators of E‑type, we are uniquely positioned to subtly integrate both aesthetic and engineering enhancements borne out of decades of knowledge, skill, and passion,” said Lennard Hoornik, chief commercial officer at Jaguar Land Rover.
Both of these hand-built E‑type Commemorative vehicles are based on the drophead coupe design, with one soaked in Signet Green paint while the other shines in Opal Black. (Both of these colors are updated versions of colors available back in 1974, the final year of original E-Type production.) Inside, the team at Jaguar has fitted Bridge of Weir tan leather seats with matching black-and-tan leather trim. These seats were hand-stitched and woven at Jaguar’s trim shop, and are the first of their kind to feature a tactile woven finish.
Admiring these ageless restorations is an assumed part of the process for owner and viewer alike, but Jaguar makes sure these revivals drive properly, too. A 3.8‑liter inline-six-cylinder engine retrofitted with electronic fuel injection and a five-speed manual transmission makes up the powertrain, blending classic displacement with modern fuel and gear ratios. Our test of the new/old mechanics found the shifter was easy enough to use without losing its mid-20th Century feel, while the upgraded engine can overpower it’s over 50-year-old tire dimensions and chassis construction. That’s a good reminder to keep yourself in check on a restoration project that costs over $400,000.
These specific E-Types have some extra accouterments inside, thanks to Jaguar Classic teaming up with jewelers Deakin & Francis. Even beyond the blueprint-etched aluminum center console, there’s a lot of bling inside these E-Types, with the most notable piece being a mother-of-pearl bar badge. The pearl is joined by solid silver and 18-carat gold details across the cabin and exterior. The steering wheel horn button has gold accents around it while the silver shifter knob includes mother-of-pearl and gold detailing, too. The rear badges, well, they’re merely sterling silver.
“Techniques honed by Deakin & Francis, which have never been seen before in the automotive world, have been seamlessly integrated into these incredibly rare vehicles. Together we have created two extraordinary classics,” said Henry Deakin, managing director at Deakin & Francis.
And in case you were worried about modern amenities, both E-Type builds feature a Jaguar Classic Bluetooth radio as well as a heated windscreen. All told, Jaguar Classic estimates it took over 2000 hours to build up each of these special editions. We sure hope they will get some proper road time in the coming years.
You Might Also Like
