Restored Jaguar E-Type Debuts at Queen’s Jubilee
If your dream is a perfect Jaguar E-Type restomod, there’s no better team to do it than Jaguar Classic.
While the stunning 1965 Series 1 Jaguar E-Type Roadster seen in these photos was publicly unveiled at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, it has no official connection to Britain’s longest reining monarch. That said, this bespoke restomod is royalty in its own right, as it was rescued from a truly derelict state by the wizards at Jaguar Classic. For any lover of big cats, owing a vintage machine that’s been brought back up to snuff by Coventry’s army of vintage wizards would be a dream — and this baby looks particularly fetching.
The build, as all Jaguar Classic machines do, started with a customer request. First, the unnamed gentleman wanted an E-Type from his birthyear — and the researchers hit that stipulation out of the park. In fact, this particular E-Type rolled off the assembly just two days after its new owner was born, which must make this already special machine sparkle even more for him. As you’d expect, while every nut, bolt, and bit of trim was being buffed to a high luster, there were some substantial improvements made.
Under the custom blended blue paint, the mechanicals have been made more robust, as original the 4.2-liter mill was upgraded to a 4.6-liter unit, and it’s now mated to a bespoke five-speed gearbox, as opposed to the stock four-speed. To provide additional poke, the manifold and exhaust system have been replaced with better breathing versions, and the wheels, tires, and brakes have also been fortified so the vehicle will perform better than it did when it was new. Additionally, the LED lighting will make it easier for the driver to both see and be seen when the sun goes down.
Like the exterior, the interior is a custom color, and while the blue paint was inspired by color on the Union Jack, the red leather was a nod to the UK’s famous red pillar boxes. And for those readers who don’t speak British? That means mailbox. Now, it seems gruesome to look at a build of this caliber and look to find fault — but at the end of the day, I’m a car critic. So I can’t say I’m thrilled about the inclusion of the Classic Infotainment System. Because while it’s discreet, it does look like it has a screen, and in a car like this, that’s a total no-go for me. Why not just wire a restored original radio to an amp, rig up a Bluetooth adapter, and call it good? Anyway, enjoy the pictures!
Photos: Jaguar
