Jaguar to build six E-Type Lightweights
Jaguar will soon begin the first ever re-creation project of the iconic Lightweight E-Type. Originally 18 cars were to be manufactured in 1963, but only 12 were made and the remaining six never saw the light of day. Now, 51 years on, Jaguar will complete the project. Of the original 12 that were built, only 11 are believed to exist today.
Each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of the original
The all-aluminium cars will be assigned the remaining six chassis numbers allotted to them in 1963. The new cars will be hand-built in-house by Jaguar's craftsmen at its traditional Browns Lane factory site in Coventry. Each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of their original 1960s forebears including the 3.8-litre straight-six engine.
The Lightweight weighed 114kg less than the standard E-type. This was due to the all-aluminium body and engine block, barebones interiors and exterior chrome work. There was also a host of further weight-saving features which included manual operation for the side windows.
The Lightweight E-Types will be FIA approved to participate in classic car events
Jaguar produced around 72,500 E-Types between 1961 and 1975. The Lightweight E-types were raced in period by the likes of Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham. Even today, the Lightweights run in historic motorsport events.
Jaguar will keep the cars so faithful to the originals that they will even be sold with FIA approval for the classic car events. The price is expected to be well north of over £1 million to reflect both the complexity of restarting production and the original cars' ongoing success in the big-money world of classic motorsport. The first of the six cars will be revealed this summer.
Jaguar to build six lightweight E-Type Lightweights
| Jaguar is to build six brand new 'Lightweight' E-types the 'missing' six Lightweights that were never built from the intended 18-car series Jaguar's first ever 're-creation' project, the all-aluminium cars will be assigned the six remaining chassis numbers which were originally allocated in 1963 All six vehicles will be built as perfect reproductions and to the exact specifications of the original 12 cars first produced in 1963 The first new Lightweight E-type will make its public debut later this summer. Further information will be released at that point 14 MAY, 2014 Jaguar is to build six perfect reproductions of the original, race-bred Lightweight E-type that was created in 1963. The new cars are the 'missing' six vehicles from Jaguar's Lightweight E-type project, which originally started in February 1963 with the objective of building 18 'Special GT E-type Cars'. Only 12 of the aluminium bodied Lightweight E-types were eventually built, the last in 1964, the remaining six designated chassis numbers having lain dormant, until now. The new cars will be hand-built in-house by Jaguar's finest craftsmen. Each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of their original 1960s forebears including the 3.8-litre straight-six engine. The Lightweight carried approximately 114kg (250lb) less weight than a 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 expects a high demand for the six Lightweight E-types. Established Jaguar collectors, especially those with historic race car interests, will be prioritised amongst those potential customers who express interest. Editors' notes: The E-type was produced between 1961 and 1975. Just over 72,500 were built. The Lightweight E-types were built in 1963 (one car being delivered in 1964) by Jaguar's competition department. Twelve complete cars were built in total 11 are believed to survive today. The Lightweights were homologated for GT competition by being designated a 'standard' roadster E-type fitted with a number of options. Those options varied from car to car, but the main modifications included all-aluminium monocoque and aluminium body panels, aluminium-block, wide-angle head, dry-sumped 3.8-litre XK engine with fuel injection, and aluminium hardtop. All chassis numbers carried an 'S' prefix. The Lightweight E-types were raced in period by such as Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham. Today the remaining Lightweights are regular front-runners in the historic motorsport scene. | |
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