Jaguar will soon pare down its range to a single model, the F-Pace, and its next-generation cars are a few years away from hitting showrooms. Instead of showing us what’s next, the firm took a trip to the heritage well and came back with a pair of E-Type roadsters restored with an eye on subtle luxury.
Created at the request of a customer in Southeast Asia, the two convertibles celebrate 50 years since the last E-Type was made. At first glance, we’re looking at two regular-production roadsters that have been meticulously restored. But there’s more than meets the eye: For starters, power comes from a 3.8-litre straight-six fitted with electronic fuel injection and linked to a Jaguar Classic five-speed manual gearbox.
The two cars are painted in Signet Green and Opal Black, respectively, which Jaguar notes are updates of colors offered on the 1974 E-Type, and both interiors feature tan Bridge of Weir leather. It’s the first time that Jaguar Classic has offered this upholstery. Wire wheels add a period-correct touch to the exterior design, while the anodized-aluminum centre console is engraved with a blueprint of an early E-Type.
Jaguar enlisted the help of Deakin & Francis, England’s oldest manufacturing jeweler, to make each E-Type even more unique. The front end’s Jaguar emblem is made with mother of pearl and 18-carat gold, while the “JAGUAR” emblem on the boot lid is enameled sterling silver. Jaguar also scattered mother of pearl, 18-carat gold, and sterling silver accents across the cabin, and the key is made with all three.
Pricing hasn’t been released, but Jaguar explains the project required more than 2000 hours of work and that each car was built by hand. That’s another way of saying the shiny duo was seriously expensive. You’re out of luck if you want one, however: The two cars shown here are the only examples that will be built.
