American Rarity

One of the remaining few E-types in the world that can claim to be truly original and low mileage, originally finished in British Racing Green over Suede Green trim. This original California Black Plate Roadster boasts limited mileage, with only 2 previous owners and all original metalwork and panels!

Brought to E-Type UK by the third recorded owner, arriving as a complete and running example, the restoration gets underway with the goal set on creating the ultimate classic driving roadster!

The Basics

Purchased from California in circa 2020, the new owner and life-long Jaguar E-type enthusiast delivered the E-type to E-Type UK in 2021 to be fully restored. Having owned a number of Jaguar E-types, the owner of this roadster has a clear vision of what makes a truly perfect driving E-type. Pulling together an exciting specification, the team begin to strip the chassis ready for media blasting.

A RESTORER DREAM

Once stripped and blasted, the E-type is returned to E-Type UK as a bare metal shell. Wheeled into the bodyshop to be inspected by our specialist E-type technicans, it quickly came to light the fantastic condition of the original Californian roadster. As a result of low mileage and residing in a dry state, the E-type metalwork remained completely rust-free, almost unheard of in the classic car restoration industry.

Safety Adjustments

Only requiring minimal panel corrections across the shell, the E-type began some desirable adjustments as per the owner's request. Driven to produce an unrivalled driving E-type roadster, it was decided to retrofit closed headlamps with chrome surrounds. Since the owner intends to use the E-type as his classic road rally/touring car, the bodywork adjustment enhances the safety aspect of the E-type, reducing the possibility of cracked/damaged headlamps, while also paying homage to predecessor models.

Paint preparation

With metalwork complete, the E-type enters paint preparation, gifting the E-type with flawless body lines and millimetre-perfect gaps. Attention will be given to every inch of the E-type, following which the E-type will be primed and left to harden, a process to build the ideal surface for paintwork.

 A Fresh new Look

With all paint preparation complete the E-type shell and panels are ready to be finished in the client's desired colour - British Racing Green. The shell is treated to a minimum of 4 coats of solid colour for maximum coverage, before several rounds of high-quality clear coat to lock in that fantastic colour in! Across the entire shell (inside, out, and underneath), a total of approximately 13 litres of solid colour is applied. Once complete the shell and panels will be subjected to over 80 hours of machine polishing to really give the new finish depth and shine.

Building the Spec

Since being painted in a stunning and classic British Racing Green, this roadster has moved into the hand of our restoration workshop for the rebuild. This an exciting milestone for any restoration as the project begins to take shape quickly, which lots of decisions to be made, allowing for our clients to finish their car EXACTLY how they'd like. This particular client has big plans for his roadster, having already booked onto a number of future classic car rallies across Europe, therefore, the specification has become performance and reliability lead, such upgrades include:

• Custom 4.7L straight six with twin plug head - WATCH THIS SPACE
• 5- speed gearbox
• Fuel-injection
• Vented discs and 4 pot E-Type UK calipers
• Fully adjustable cable-operated throttle assembly
• Aluminum radiator and header tank
• Modern electronic cooling fans
• Oil cooler
• Full tubular stainless steel big bore exhaust system
• Uprated anti-roll bars
• Uprated torsion bars
• Adjustable suspension front and back

While the technicians are busy turning this specification into reality, the E-type is also trial fitted with race-inspired Dunlop Ally Wheels, something a little different from the more traditional wire wheel set-up.

Fitting the ENGINE

A big day for this special roadster restoration, the team prepare and fit the fully rebuilt and uprated twin spark straight six E-type engine, with its increased capacity to 4.7 liters! The E-type is also paired with a new 5-speed gearbox and later to be fitted with a complete electronic fuel-injection system. 

Completing the build

Having successfully installed this unique specification engine, the first of its kind in the UK, the team proceed with building up the remaining mechanicals, from cooling, brakes, suspension and, of course, the electronic fuel injection. Ensuring an equally high performance and developed system pairs with the electronic twin spark ignition system, the E-type is fitted with a complete injection system with period-inspired carburettor to fuel injection throttle bodies, perfectly blending a custom but heritage engine aesthetic.

On top of the fuel injection, the specification includes:

• Bespoke full stainless steel exhaust system with 6 branch manifolds and larger bore
• Full-performance cooling with aluminium radiator, header tank, and modern high-flow fan for efficiency
• Adjustable from dampers
• E-Type UK sports 4 pot callipers and vented discs
• Oil cooler and modern oil temp gauge
• Bowden cable throttle control

 

MORE CUSTOMISATION

To pair with the E-type's custom specification, this classic roadster has been given an equally unique trim finish. Fitting bespoke lightweight race-inspired bucket seats, sat on custom floor runners for additional comfort, and finally trimmed in a stunning Dark Green. Various other race-inspired gauges have also been fitted to further enhance the fuel-injected monster under the bonnet, these include:

• A 'TellTale' rev counter: Race-styled tachometer with an additional red needle that recalls peak RPMs
• Oil temperature gauge with warning indicator
• Combi Oil pressure and water temperature gauge
• Moto-Lita 15" leather bound steering wheel
• Retrosound head unit