Jaguar is to build six ‘brand new’ Lightweight E-types, 50 years after an original 12 units were produced.
A total of 18 Lightweight E-types were set to be built between 1963 and 1964, but only 12 were ever made. Now Jaguar’s Heritage Business arm will finish the production run using chassis numbers assigned but unused in the 1960s.
Read our history of the iconic Jaguar E-Type
Originally produced specifically for racing, the Lightweight E-types were designed to take the fight to rivals from Ferrari on the track. The cars had several appearances at Le Mans, but largely without success.
The six models will be built to the exact specifications of the 1960s originals, including the aluminium-block 3.8-litre straight six engine and the aluminium body.
Customers will be able to choose their own colour and trim specifications for the race-bred model, which is 114kg lighter than a standard E-type thanks to a lack of interior trim and exterior chrome detailing.
Director of the Heritage Business Derek Weale said: "The E-type is an iconic car, and the Lightweight E-type is the most desirable model of all. To be able to complete the intended production run of 18, some 50 years after the last Lightweight was completed, is an opportunity we couldn't miss".
Pricing information will be revealed closer to the car's launch later this summer.
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Why are BMW & Audi
They meant to make half a
Not too sure about this
What if McLaren decided to cash in on the current interest in the F1 by knocking out another couple of hundred (they announced that they would build 300, but barely made it to 80 and lost a truckload of money along the way). Or what if Ferrari decided to milk the 250 GTO a bit more and produce a 'continuation' series, since they never made the required amount for homologation anyway, they could finally get around to it and sell them for millions. They could do it, but should they?
Where does it end? Classic cars should be maintained, restored and celebrated, but I don't think that the manufacturers should be building new versions of 1960s cars.
disco.stu wrote: And what
I was thinking the same thing. I can't imagine Jaguar would supply the 'new' cars with the same god-awful gearbox that the originals had. That would put them at an immediate disadvantage with Eagle et al.