Twist on a Classic: Jaguar-Powered Deuce Coupe
It wouldn’t be accurate to call this gorgeous build a lump, as it turns that whole concept on its head!
Most of the time, when you hear about a Ford-Jaguar project, the Blue Oval is providing the powerplant, while Coventry handles everything else. But this creation, which just sold on Bring a Trailer for a whopping $65,000, is a whole different take. Here, the body is an all-steel 1932 Ford reproduction, while the engine is a 5.3-liter V12 plucked from a Jaguar. To make things even better, power gets to the ground via a Tremec five-speed transmission, so this baby will be as engaging to drive as it is to look at.
Long before it was put up for sale, Hot Rod magazine had already run a story on this unique build, and like so many inspiring creations, the details are what make it sparkle. As anyone familiar with Ford’s famous deuce coupe can plainly see, the proportions are slightly different than those originally penned by the designers in Dearborn. To make room for the massive V12, the wheelbase was stretched a whopping seven inches, and accommodating the Jaguar rear-end (inboard brakes and all) meant the body was widened by six inches.
Obviously, all that chassis and sheetmetal work was done to an exceptional standard, and I love how the builder incorporated some classic Jaguar elements into the design. For example, while I’m generally not the biggest fan of the Leaper, in this application, I think it looks fantastic. The twin gas caps in front of the trunk are another nod to the big mill’s former home, and are subtle enough that unless you’re a Jaguar aficionado, you might think they were a completely custom touch. The interior is also more posh than you’ll see on most ’32 builds, thanks to the Jaguar seats and mahogany accents.
In a world full of cookie-cutter deuce coupes, this project is truly inspirational, and encapsulates the creative spirit which makes the culture so fascinating. Next time I’m at a car show, I’m actually going to make an attempt to check out any example of these that I see. Because you never know, in place of a traditional Flathead V8, Coyote 5.0, or — gasp! — an LS motor, there might be something way off script hiding under the bonnet. Check out the video below to hear that V12 in action, and if you’ve seen another build with a transplanted Jaguar mill, send it my way!
Photos: Bring a Trailer