Jaguar is working on new Lightweight E-Types
Six new, lightweight Jaguar E-Type models – initially meant to be built and raced back in 1963 – will be created in-house by the iconic British marque just before a public unveiling later this year.
Being part of an 18-car Lightweight E-Type project started by Jaguar’s competition department back in February of 1963 – the target being GT racing – this brand new ‘missing’ Jaguar Lightweight GT E-Types will be built to the exact specification of the original 12 cars.
This is being touted as Jaguar’s first-ever ‘re-creation’ project, with the hand-built all-aluminium-bodied E-Types featuring dry-sumped 3.8-litre fuel-injected straight-six powerplant but the original six remaining ‘S’-prefixed chassis numbers first put aside in 1963.
The new bodies weigh about 114 kilograms less than the standard sports car and raced in their day by people like Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham; the Lightweight GT E-Types won’t be featuring any interior and exterior chrome details and the side windows will be hand-operated.
Jaguar is expecting a high demand for the highly exclusive E-Types coming from the established brand collectors, especially those who are interested in the history of racing cars, so they will be prioritized among potential customers who express their interest.
It is expected that the new Lightweight E-Type Jaguars will be making their public debut by the end of August with more details and images being released closer to that date. Rest assured when we have that information we’ll share it with you.
Twelve cars were built initially – the last in 1964 – and of the twelve, eleven are believed to still exist today.
The Jaguar E-Type was produced between 1961 and 1975 with over 72,500 units being built.
