Automotive

Jaguar rebirths the E-type ... and it's the opposite of painful

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Jaguar's first E-type Reborn
Jaguar's first E-type Reborn
Jaguar rebuilt the bodyshell, engine and gearbox of this 1965 Fixed Head Coupe 4.2
A look inside the E-type Reborn, which will make its debut at Techno-Classica Essen in April
Jaguar E-type Reborn
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Jaguar Land Rover Classic has been all about Rovers in its Reborn series, presenting the Series I and Range Rover Classic models. Now it's adding a bit more Jag, putting its automotive talents toward the very worthy goal of restoring Series 1 E-types. At this year's Techno-Classica Essen, it will reveal the first of 10 E-types it plans to rebirth, this one a beautifully revitalized 1965 Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe 4.2.

Jaguar Classic proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it knows its way around classic cars with the fascinating work it did bringing the Lightweight E-type and XKSS back to life. Those two models were ground-up recreation projects, and now Jaguar takes on the simpler but still impressive work of factory restorations. The E-type makes a natural first for the series, and Jaguar Classic plans an initial batch of 10 cars, each of which will be "expertly sourced and comprehensively restored."

"The E-type is the most iconic sports car of all time," opines Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic director. "We are delighted to be able to give new life to expertly selected examples for discerning customers around the world to own and enjoy. The resources and information available to Jaguar Classic's expert technicians are unrivaled, which results in the most authentic E-type restorations possible."

Jaguar rebuilt the bodyshell, engine and gearbox of this 1965 Fixed Head Coupe 4.2

Jaguar's experts source each E-type before restoring it according to 1960s factory specification, relying on original drawings and build records stored in the Jaguar Heritage Trust. The process includes retaining or refurbishing as much of the original car as possible while replacing safety-critical parts with new ones from Jaguar Classic Parts, swapping out unsalvageable body panels with Jaguar Classic reverse-engineered panels, and using period-appropriate spot welding when affixing those panels.

Buyers can also choose to improve performance by adding carefully selected options based on later E-type models, such as an improved cooling system with Lightweight E-type-derived parts and Series 2 front brake calipers.

The 1965 Fixed Head Coupe that's the first to roll out of the Reborn program was originally exported to California in May 1965. Jaguar says the 265-hp 4.2-liter inline six-powered car recorded 78,000 miles (125.5K km) before being stored away back in 1983. Jaguar's team has rebuilt the original bodyshell, engine and gearbox. The Opalescent Gunmetal Grey paint provides just enough shimmer to fully accentuate the E-type's timeless curves without overpowering the eyes like a brighter treatment might.

Jaguar E-type Reborn

Each E-type Reborn will start at £285,000 (approx. US$358K), a very pretty penny in its own right but well under the £1 million+ price tags of the recreated XKSS and Lightweight E-types.

Source: Jaguar Land Rover

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13 comments
BrianPatrickCorcoran
There never was a more beautiful, graceful and stylish car than the Jaguar XK-E. It was the only automobile ever to be displayed in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. The 1965 Studebaker Grand Turismo Hawk came in a close second though.
LarryWolf
That was my first car I ever owned--was a 64' Studebaker GranTurismo Golden Hawk. Wish I still had it darn.
BobAdjemian
It's all very nice that they will restore old XKe's, but first glancing at the title, I thought they would bring out a modernized NEW model, with the same body styling of the e-type, but state of the art under the hood. Hello Jaguar... are you listening? The XKE design is timeless.. Bring it back in a production sports car.
MarylandUSA
In 1980 (or so), Car and Driver asked car designers, car journalists, and subscribers to name the most beautiful car ever made. All three groups named the Jaguar XKE. I'll never forget how the allure of that model was described by car journalist Jean Lindamood Jennings, herself a former car racer: "Whenever I look at one, the inside of my mouth gets wet."
kingothings
Well...,apparently, this one doesn't so much need the convenience of removal by the huge eye bolts mounted into the engine straight from the factory as the earlier did. :p
StWils
Bob got to make this point just ahead of me. If my lottery investment program ever actually works out a Jag E type is on the list of cars I would want to own & drive. A brand new & modernized E type would be even more attractive.
Craig Whitley
If only as reliable as it looks. Beautiful design but...
No wonder the British drink their beer warm as the companies which make British automobile electrical systems also make refrigerators. I remember seeing one with a bumper sticker, "The parts falling off this care were made with the finest of British craftsmanship.
Lardo
The two most beautiful cars ever produced... the Jaguar E-Type and the Ford GT-40. Then I want a Lola T-70. Next I should probably slip a Shelby Daytona in there, too.
MikeGaskin
Helped a friend put a clutch in one once. Now THAT was a job, take apart the front end, pull the engine. But what a car.
Terry Foy
This isn't a rebirth, it's a cosmetic procedure. I agree with the other posters in that the XK-E is the most beautiful vehicle rolling but the title suggests a technically new car with the original body style. Just how many original chassis are available for the facelift?