Jaguar to tie off a piece of history, to complete six remaining Lightweight E-Types
Jaguar is getting in touch with tradition once more by digging up an incomplete project dating back as far as 1963. Two years after the E-Type was introduced, Jaguar commissioned the building of 18 Lightweight E-Types. Though due to various reasons, only 12 were produced with the last car being made in 1964.
The designated chassis numbers were never used and the shells gathered dust while Jaguar continued on. But 50 years later, Jaguar will be completing the remaining six units, built to their original specifications and absolutely no alterations.
That of course means that Jaguar will be reproducing their famous 3.8L carburetted straight-six. Unlike the standard production and consumer E-Type, the Lightweight models came with stripped interiors, lighter hand-operated windows, and was void of all of the luxury trimmings found in the regular model.
The first example is expected to be completed something later this summer.
Check out the press release after the jump.
- 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
(Whitley, Coventry – 14/05/2014). 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.
