Iconic Jaguar E-type lives again

JAGUAR Land Rover has already given us 'Reborn' versions of its classic Land Rover and Range Rover models, but now it's turning its attention to Jaguar and the E-type - one of the most evocative cars in automotive history - writes William Scholes.

Jaguar Classic has sourced and comprehensively restored - or 'reborn' - 10 examples of the E-type, with the promise of more to come.

The first completed car is an opalescent gunmetal grey Series 1 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe.

The car was originally exported to California in May 1965, with 78,000 miles recorded before being stored in 1983.

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It retains its original matching numbers bodyshell, engine and gearbox, all of which have been completely rebuilt by Jaguar Classic technicians.

Every E-type Reborn is completely restored according to the company’s original 1960s factory specification.

The Coventry-based Reborn team retain or refurbish as much of the original vehicle as possible, while any safety-critical parts are replaced with new items from Jaguar Classic Parts.

Body panels from Jaguar Classic’s reverse-engineered panel programme are fitted where necessary, to remove corrosion and restore the E-type’s iconic looks with the best fit possible.

The meticulous attention to detail even extends to recreating the correct type of spot-welding when refitting those panels.

Jaguar says the E-type Reborn service offers prospective customers "the unique opportunity to purchase an original and highly collectible E-type direct from the vehicle’s original manufacturer".

Tim Hannig from Jaguar Land Rover Classic said the "E-type is the most iconic sports car of all time".

"The resources and information available to Jaguar Classic's expert technicians are unrivalled, which results in the most authentic E-type restorations possible," he said.

A number of sympathetic upgrades from later E-types can be incorporated into the restoration process at extra cost, subject to the customer’s wishes, including improved cooling, an all-synchromesh gearbox or Series 2 front brakes.