The sensational prototype of the 'continuation' Lightweight E-types that are to be built by Jaguar has broken cover.
The car, masterminded by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, was hand-built by highly skilled Jaguar craftsmen in a new facility at Browns Lane. Only six customer Lightweight E-types will be built - each assigned one of the remaining chassis numbers originally allocated in 1963 to the intended 18-car 'Special GT E-type' project.
The specification includes an aluminium body with doors, boot, hardtop and bonnet also in aluminium. Thesix-cylinder XK engine mirrors the original power units, with an aluminium block, 'wide angle' aluminium cylinder head and dry-sump lubrication.
The cars will be sold as period competition vehicles and all will be suitable for FIA homologation for historic motor sport purposes.
The prototype Lightweight is to be publicly revealed in California today.
Jaguar design director Ian Callum said: "With the Lightweight E-type, our focus as a design team has been to ensure justice was done to the original work of Sir William Lyons and Malcolm Sayer.
