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Gautam Sharma15 May 2014
NEWS

Jaguar to resurrect E-Type

Leaping cat set to create the six cars that were never built from intended 18-unit series of lightweight sportsters

Should the past be left in the past? Jaguar clearly doesn’t think so, because it’s on the verge of creating six brand-new E-Type Lightweights to exactly the specs they were intended to be built in 1963.

Jaguar had originally intended to build 18 examples of the aluminium-bodied E-Types, but only 12 units ended up leaving the factory – consequently there are six remaining chassis numbers that were never assigned half a century ago.

This has paved the way for the company to reprise these numbers and affix them to modern-day recreations of the car, which will be built to precisely the same specifications as the 12 cars built originally.

The first new Lightweight E-Type will make its public debut later this summer, but there is as yet no indication of pricing. It’s a safe bet the asking price will be stratospheric, given the expected collectability of the cars.

Given that the E-Type Lightweights were largely hand-built, Jaguar says it has assigned its finest craftsmen to the project. Some indication of what goes into the creation of the aluminium bodywork can be gleaned from a couple of the accompanying pics.

As per the familiar recipe, each car will be powered by a 300bhp (224kW) fuel-injected 3.8-litre straight-six engine, mated to a five-speed ZF gearbox.

The six Lightweight cars will also tip the scales 114kg lighter than the standard E-Type, thanks to its all-aluminium body and engine block, a lack of interior trim and exterior chrome work and a host of further weight-saving features including lightweight, hand-operated side windows.

Jaguar says it is targeting wealthy collectors with the six Lightweight E-Types, especially those with historic race car interests.

The inspiration for the project may have come partly from Ferrari’s highly lucrative Classiche division, which provides maintenance and restoration services for owners of classic Ferraris.

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Written byGautam Sharma
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