Roofless Restoration Creates One-Off E-Type Speedster
Less is more. That’s the thinking behind the latest restomod from E-Type UK, whose paired back approach has resulted in a unique Jaguar speedster.
During the 3500-hour bare-metal restoration the bodywork was de-seamed and all almost all chrome removed, including the bumpers and door handles. A discreetly hidden electronic switch now opens the doors, or if the new owner is nimble he or she could perhaps vault over instead.
Only the windscreen surround and wire wheels remain in chrome and there are custom headlight covers to complete the minimalist aesthetic.
Having removed the original canvas top it was never re-fitted as the car’s owner only intends to use it in warm weather, and the space behind the front seats has been repurposed for storage and a spot for the customer’s pets to join the journey without damaging the diamond-quilted leather seats. The rich red upholstery contrasts with opalescent gunmetal paintwork which took more than 400 hours to perfect.
Under the E-Type’s iconic hood sits a fully-rebuilt 3.8-liter straight six, with high-lift cams, new bearings, bronze valve guides, uprated valves, a ported head, a balanced crank and lightened flywheel. Triple SU carbs deliver the fuel, plus there’s electronic ignition, new starter motor and alternator. As it is set to live a life of luxury in a tropical location the cooling system has been updated as well.
Meanwhile, the transmission has been swapped out for a new five-speed manual, and there’s adjustable suspension and high-performance brakes to ensure the upgraded E-Type is more eager in the bends and stops as well as it goes.
Only recently Jaguar Classic revealed a pair of bejewelled E-Types for another wealthy collector, but which look do you prefer?
“I think this, by a long way, is the most beautiful car I’ve ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful *thing* I’ve ever seen.”
https://youtu.be/66owXqZaexs?si=J4Gf675MZ3v-LVbI&t=127
The outside is gorgeous, the inside is way too busy and proves the axiom that bad taste doesn’t necessarily cost less. I would have drastically simplified the interior and eliminated the shiny parts to allowed the driver to focus on the dynamic experience of driving, not the be-dazzled riot of opulence assaulting the senses. No matter how much it cost.
All three look better than mine!
A gorgeous machine. The less is more highlights the beautiful flowing E- type shape as well as giving this a car a bit of going out on the track appeal. Eagle took much the same approach with their E-type Speedster which is also to die for.
Hard to improve on the stying of an E type, so like most restomods, better or worse is in the eye of the viewer. The interior looks like it was patterned after a 19th Century bordello. Workmanship looks superb. My opinion…others will disagree.
JJC Agree on the interior. 19th century bordello and/or seventies Cadillac. Six of one half dozen on the other.
Beautiful car and color combo. I like the interior quite a bit.
I personally miss the bright highlights provided by the chrome bumpers and trim. The E-type is one of the few cars that looks as good under the bonnet as it does from the driver’s seat or the sidewalk.
While everyone has their own views on beauty, it’s clear the the E type does not need any major modifications to enhance the classic styling of the original. A testament it seems to Enzo’s praise of the E type years ago. Clearly a beautiful designed automobile.