Jaguar to hand-built 6 aluminium GT E-Types

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. Jaguar is to build six brand new ‘Lightweight’ E-types – the ‘missing’ six Lightweights that were never built from the intended 18-car series. All six vehicles will be built as perfect reproductions and to the exact specifications of the original 12 cars first produced in 1963.

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. 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.

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.

The E-TYPE was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 and the production of this gorgeous-looking sports car went on till 1975. About 72,500 units of this sports car 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.