Re-birth of Jaguar’s Lightweight E-Type

In 1963, Jaguar, the legendary British sports car maker had intended to build 18 lightweight racing E-types, but for some unknown reasons Jaguar was only able to make 12 units – the last one being built in 1964. Now, 50 years later, it has emerged that Jaguar, with the help of their expert craftsmen, is planning to finally build the 6 remaining lightweight E-types. The Special GT E-type cars will be hand-built at Jaguar’s traditional Browns Lane factory site in Coventry, and each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of their original 1960s forebears – including the 3.8-litre straight-six engine. The E-type was produced between 1961 and 1975, and just over 72,500 units were built. The special lightweight versions were 114 kilograms lighter than the standard E-type, thanks to its all-aluminium body and engine block, a lack of interior trim and exterior chrome work.

The Lightweights were homologated for GT competition by being designated a ‘standard’ roadster E-type fitted with a number of options. These 6 new vehicles will promise to be the perfect collector’s item, and each vehicle will carry a price tag well above $1.5 million (`9 crores). Despite the high price tag, Jaguar expects these cars to be in high demand and they have stated that established Jaguar collectors, especially those with historic race car interests, will be prioritised amongst potential customers who express interest.