Jaguar will build six reproductions of the original, race-bred Lightweight E-type that was created in 1963. The new cars are the ‘missing’ six vehicles from the brand’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 aluminum bodied Lightweight E-type vehicles 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 craftsmen. Each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of their original 1960s forebears – including the 3.8-litre straight-six engine. The 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-aluminum 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 prioritized amongst potential customers that express interest. The first new Lightweight E-type will make its public debut later this summer.
[Source: Jaguar]
Note to Jay Leno: Put your order in now, please.
Wish they had mentioned a price – but I know – if you have to ask, you can’t afford it !!
it’s £1M… that’s 1,000,000 sterling
A great promo for their now aluminum bodied production cars!
If they sell all six I bet they ” find ” more dormant ( ? ) chassis numbers and the ” Jaguar craftsmen ” ( what have these guys being doing up until now ? ) will be busy building a lot more , and they will be regestered as 1963s to get around all the saftey and smog requirements , Shelby tried this ” finding old chassis numbers ” scam years ago
Actually, it was well known of those six remain numbers, never were missing. I can’t tell why Jaguar kept those, tough. And they will be built under ‘racing only’ specs and paperwork. You’ll never see one in the street.
well, what about those unfinished xk ss jaguars that stopped when the factior burned ???
If Leno buys one, we will see it on the street. He will drive it around LA and film it for his You Tube Channel.
i WISH I COULD BUY ONE…IT´S A LOVELY CAR
Hernán J Capriles
Venezuela
And where in India did Tata find the “Jaguar Craftsmen”?
browns lane Coventry