E-Type UK creates bespoke speedster
E-Type UK has completed a painstaking 3,500-hour restoration and bespoke upgrade on a Jaguar E-type Series 1 roadster, producing a refined and optimised British speedster.
An icon revitalised
The subject of the restoration and upgrade works, a 1961 left-hand drive model, was first delivered new to Puerto Rico. After many years overseas, the car returned to the UK, bought by the current owner as the basis for creating his ultimate open top E-type.
He tasked E-Type UK with refining the car’s elegant 1960s bodywork to create something more purposeful, with elevated modern performance to match. The customer, who intends to use the car exclusively in warmer climates – instructed the team to remove the soft top entirely to create an E-type speedster.
Meticulous restoration process, inside and out
E-Type UK focussed on every detail down to the car. As with all the firm’s restoration projects, the process began with a full strip down of the shell. The team then undertook a comprehensive assessment of the body panels to ensure structural integrity, before carefully blasting them to remove half a century of material build-up.
During the team’s analysis of the car, it was discovered that significant repairs to the shell were needed, with multiple panels corroded or rotted from years of exposure to the elements. E-Type UK seized this opportunity to refine the bodywork and enhance the iconic 1960s design, with a de-seamed bonnet and tailgate. This process also allowed the specialists to remove exterior chrome work for a cleaner look, including the exterior door handles – replaced with a subtle internal electronic release. The new aesthetic was capped off by custom headlight covers and – with no need to accommodate a soft top – all finishing edges were rounded.
The car was then surfaced and treated with a coat of Opalescent Gunmetal for a rich, lustrous finish. The painting process took more than 400 hours, using the highest quality products to achieve a show stopping depth and shine.
An interior to match
An interior to match
The same attention to detail was paid to the interior, with the E-Type UK team creating a custom, totally transformed cabin. Realising the client’s vision, a custom finish was applied to the seats, sills and carpets, which are now adorned in red diamond quilted leather. This is offset by a gleaming, period correct aluminium centre console and dash, which houses the iconic original lineup of Smiths gauges.
The team also fabricated a bespoke storage area across the rear bulkhead, which is now beautifully trimmed in matching leather and pattern. The storage space also doubles as a useful seating area for furry friends, ensuring the family’s beloved pets can tag along for the ride. E-Type UK also supplied a removable padded section for added pet friendly comfort.
Pursuit of mechanical perfection
The team spent hundreds more hours on work beneath the car’s skin, with entirely refreshed and overhauled mechanical components. While the car was in paint, the team prepared and enhanced its vital elements, such as the 3.8-litre straight six engine, now finished to a ‘fast road’ specification.
After being fully stripped down, the block was honed and bored, with high-lift cams and new bearings fitted, along with bronze valve guides, uprated valves, a ported head and a balanced crank. It is fed by triple SU carbs, with an increased compression ratio and lighter flywheel. The car also benefits from electronic ignition, sport ignition coil, high-torque starter motor and lightweight alternator. These changes are complemented by an uprated, performance cooling system and larger fan for dramatically improved air flow.
The changes have created a powerplant that revs with a newfound urgency, emitting an addictive straight six roar in the process, which is all the more enveloping thanks to the new speedster layout. The motor drives through a brand-new, five-speed manual gearbox, and the enhanced performance is kept in check thanks to upgraded adjustable suspension and sports performance brakes.
