Automotive

Jaguar to build six brand new Lightweight 1963 E-types

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Jaguar plans to build the last six of original Lightweight E-Type run
Only 12 of the Lightweight E-Type were built
The Lightweight E-Type was aimed at the racing circuit
Jaguar plans to build the last six of original Lightweight E-Type run
The Lightweight E-Type as a 3.8-liter engine
The Lightweight E-Type has an all-aluminum body
The Lightweight E-Type reproductions will debut later this year
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It’s not unheard of for a car’s production to be interrupted for a few months or even a couple of years, but half a century is pushing it a bit. Jaguar announced today that it plans to complete the 18-car production run of the Jaguar Lightweight E-Type, which was suspended in 1964 after only 12 of the high-performance sports car were built.

The E-type was one of the all-time classic cars. It hit exactly the right mix of the old and the new with its monocoque body, engine bonnet that seemed to go on forever and passenger cabin that looked as if it was hanging on for dear life. There was such an air of pure art to it that even the engine was beautiful, and unlike many high-performance cars, you could drive it at 10 mph without feeling like it was trying to rattle your fillings out of your teeth. Between 1961 and 1974 over 72,500 cars were produced, which is remarkable when you consider how notoriously unreliable it was.

Aimed at the racing crowd, the Lightweight E-Type, as the name suggests, was a stripped down version with 114 kg (250 lb) shaved off for more speed and better performance. It differed from the standard E-Type in having an all-aluminum monocoque and aluminum body panels over a steel chassis, as well as a 3.8-liter, straight six XK engine with an aluminum engine block and head. To further keep the weight down, the interior trim and chrome work were left off, and even the windows were designed to save the odd ounce.

The Lightweight E-Type as a 3.8-liter engine

Since it managed 170 mph (274) from its 344 bhp (257 kW) engine, and was raced by the likes of Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham, the engineers must have done something right.

The Lightweight E-Type started production in February 1963 with 18 cars planned, but only 12 were built when production ended in 1964, plus two spare bodies. The remaining six chassis numbers were left on hold for half a century and, according to Jaguar, only 11 of the cars are believed to still be intact.

Described by Jaguar as its first ever “re-creation” project, the goal is to complete the final six cars of the long-suspended production run of the “Special GT E-type Cars.” Jaguar says that these will be perfect reproductions to the exact original specifications and will be hand-built for their public debut later this year. Not surprisingly, the company expects a lot of interest from collectors.

Source: Jaguar

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11 comments
Trikker
Does this mean the E-Type will follow tradition, "exact specifications" with Lucas electrics. My 64 E-Type was in the shop on a constant basis, replacing electrical parts, only to fail many times.
BZD
@Trikker. Good one:-)
If they follow the "exact specification" thing it will also mean the mentioned top speed will only be possible with a very strong tail wind going down hill, just as it was with the original E-type.
I must admit to loving the look of the E-type, but it's technology was questionable in many ways. Instead of these replicas made by Jaguar they should instead do an updated version, just imagine a car as pretty as a E-type but with modern performance. Amazing.
olwrench
Almost stole an E Coupe once, didn't take long to find out why---- Good ol Lucas, The Prince of Darkness
Jackie Ferrucci
BZD... They do, It's called the Eagle Speedster. Jeremy Clarkson drove one in some episode of Top Gear, Also there is the Jaguar Growler... also featured on Top Gear.
Stephen N Russell
why not rebuild whole line, see Speedback GT as example Update, modernize car alone & boost sales. People would buy if U produce say 100 alone.
Gregg Eshelman
Will they be considered 1964 models or 2014 or 2015? If the latter, they'd be banned from road use in many countries.
Being built by Jaguar, not very likely they could be registered under any home-built or self constructed vehicle regulations.
Sheldon Cooper
The Lucas electrics were responsible for most of the reliability issues - my own 1970 E-Type is perfectly reliable with the after market ignition system I fitted.
RADIX
"Instead of these replicas made by Jaguar they should instead do an updated version, just imagine a car as pretty as a E-type but with modern performance. Amazing."
Jaguar has. It's called the F-Type (Obviously on from 'E') Convertible and Coupé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d1N97X2BA0
Doc Zhivago
Jaguar would hit a home run if they were to come out with a modernized retro E-Type from the Series I era. I'd stand in line.
OuldBill
True, that was back when Jaguar respected their own DNA, and carried it forward (more or less) through the XK series. The new F-Type Aston-Maseraguar is a complete sellout. The Marketing Dept's "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" tactic could spell genuine disaster for the marque, if the design group doesn't take back some control soon.