- 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
- Customers will also be able to specify a range of bespoke options for their individual cars
- The first new Lightweight E-type will make its public debut later this summer. Further information will be released at that point
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.
Derek Weale, Director, JLR Heritage Business, said: “This is an incredibly exciting project for Jaguar. 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.
“I’m very much looking forward to revealing full details of the cars, and seeing them in action, in the very near future.”
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. Customers will also be able to make bespoke requests for interior and exterior trim levels, paint and livery and further technical specification.
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.
Source – Jaguar India.