1963 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type Making A Comeback

Back in 1963, Jaguar built 12 of 18 planned Special GT E-type race cars and sold them to competition, many making headlines as race winners at the hands of now-legendary drivers. The cars were extraordinary for their extensive use of aluminum and extremely lightweight build and their fame meant that they became instant collectibles, with those original examples now being worth millions apiece.

Six remaining chassis numbers were left unbuilt as Jaguar and the world moved on. Now, however, Jaguar Land Rover is returning to those numbers. In May of this year, Jaguar announced that they would build the remaining six 1963 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type cars with specifications meeting the exactness of the originals. Now, at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, the first of those six is unveiled.

These “missing six” Jaguar GT E-type machines, to be called the Lightweight E-Type to designate them from the originals, carry the same aluminum body, chassis, and engine components as the originals did. In fact, these are exact reproductions and because they will carry the official chassis numbers of the missing group from the original planned 18, they will be highly sought-after collector’s items.

Using the talented and highly-skilled machinists, designers, engineers, and mechanics in its Coventry shop, Jaguar Land Rover has put its full resources into the process of hand building these six beautiful cars. This is the first-ever recreation project the legendary automaker has ever undertaken and it promises to be well worth the effort.

The originals and the new Lightweight E-Type cars are powered by a 3.8-liter straight-six engine. Compared to its standard E-type brothers in this pinnacle of Jaguar’s 1960s production, the Lightweight was 250 pounds lighter and all that much faster.

Jaguar Land Rover promises that these reproductions with original chassis numbers will go only to the most worthy. The buyer’s collection and historic race heritage will be prioritized over dollars offered. The company wants these cars to be seen, heard, and above all, racing. They will have full FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes. The new cars will be nicknamed by their build number with the prototype being shown at Pebble Beach being called Car Zero as it does not carry a chassis number from the original series and is meant as a show car only.

There is beauty in the preservation of history, especially when it’s living, breathing, and firing on all cylinders thanks to master craftsmen and those with vision. The 1963 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type will personify that ideal.