What Renowned Designer Frank Stephenson Would Change on the E-Type
The very thought of improving the Jaguar E-Type borders on heresy — but Frank Stephenson has some great ideas.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I loved this video from the very beginning. Because in the first few moments, I learned that I had something in common with legendary car designer Frank Stephenson. As it turns out, both of us remember being floored seeing a Jaguar when we were little kids. For me, it was the XJ, and for Stephenson, it was the glorious Jaguar E-Type which made such a profound impression.
Along with penning such legendary designs as Ferrari’s F430, the Maserati MC12, and the McLaren P1, Stephenson also happened to design the only four-door which I think can hold a candle to the XJ — Maserati’s gorgeous Quattroporte. So getting to watch this maestro walk around the E-Type and point out all the details in the sheet metal feels like attending a masterclass in automotive design. There’s a fluidity with the way that he uses language here, and a way that he boils complex design features down to their basic elements, which is just fascinating to behold.
And for what it’s worth? I’d great prefer to see Stephenson’s take on the E-Type as opposed to Chip Foose’s. Not that I have anything against the American hot rod icon, as I think he’s done some amazing work. I just happen to think his style is a bit too bombastic for the classic cat.
One of the coolest parts of the clip is actually getting to watch Stephenson sketch, and the way that relocates the front marker light is something I wish the folks at Coventry had seen before they finalized the final lines.
For the record, I think he’s really on to something here, particularly when it comes to the chrome bits around the windows. Now that I’ve seen the incomplete circle there, I don’t know if I can unsee it. But I don’t agree with all of his comments, as I think that the hips of the E-Type are about as perfect an automotive feature as has ever existed. Maybe if I could see what he’s talking about there rendered in steel, with my own eyes, I would come around — but I’m pretty skeptical. Regardless, I just subscribed to Stephenson’s YouTube channel, and can’t wait to jump down that rabbit hole.
Before you watch the video, I’d also like to point our that it’s pretty cool that Stephenson mentioned the E-Type’s inclusion in the New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Given how often we hear about how much Enzo Ferrari loved the E-Type, I’ve always though it a little strange that the car’s presence in that revered collection — where it sits alongside paradigm-shifting works from Picasso and Warhol — doesn’t get more press. Enjoy the clip!
Photos: YouTube