On its release in March 1961, Enzo Ferrari described it as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’. Some 60 years later, the E-Type Jaguar can be subjected to a serious upgrade.
E-Type UK, based in Kent, is best known for reconditioning, building and restoring the stunning vintage Jag. But its latest businesses is a case of bringing it into the 21st century.
It has launched a new brand called Unleashed, which will take your E-Type donor car and for £325,000 retrofit it with modern performance components and a tuned engine that almost doubles the power output of original’s V12 engine. It will also get the creature comforts today’s motorists take for granted, from heated seats to bluetooth.
E-Type for the 21st century: A UK Jaguar specialist has launched a new business that will take a standard E-Type, upgrade the engine and fit it with the latest components and creature comforts
The UK company showcased its first Unleashed model, based on a Series III E-Type roadster with a hard-top roof – the final iteration of the iconic Jaguar sports car that went out of production in 1974.
While on the outside the svelte silhouette of the stunning British motor has been retained, under the skin there has been a dramatic transformation.
Like every car that will be put through the process, it takes 4,000 hours to complete.
And once it’s finished, it will share many features with the 71-plate models in showrooms today.
This includes the addition of LED headlamps, heated leather seats, a modern sound system, air-conditioning and a heated from windscreen.
While the stunning silhouette of a model once described as the ‘most beautiful car ever made’ by none other than Enzo Ferrari, under the skin is a complete modernisation
The Unleashed upgrade also adds an aluminium radiator, fresh oil cooler and ECU-controlled cooling fans
Out go the standard headlights to be replaced with LED headlamps. Also added is remote central locking, electric windows and Bluetooth connectivity.
The V12 engine from the original model is increased in capacity from 5.3 to 6.1 litres and the conventional carburettors have been replaced with new electronic fuel injection
Additional driver conveniences include remote central locking, engine start button, electric windows and Bluetooth connectivity.
But the biggest changes are where it really matters – the performance.
The V12 engine in this example has received a substantial upgrade. Capacity is up from 5.3 to 6.1 litres and the conventional carburettors have been replaced with new electronic fuel injection.
The Unleashed upgrade also adds an aluminium radiator, fresh oil cooler and ECU-controlled cooling fans.
With the incorporation of a ceramic-coated stainless steel exhaust manifold, the upgrades have pushed the standard car’s power from 272bhp to a massive 400bhp.
A new lightened flywheel and a modern-era five-speed manual gearbox have also been included, which should convert the E-Type into a car you can use every day.
The entire cabin is fully retrimmed with stunning leather seats and piano black fascias
LED back-lit dials keep a retro look, as does the classic-style steering wheel that’s been wrapped in high-quality leather
There’s no need for keys in the ignition, with the car featuring keyless start with an engine start button. The chrome switches control a host of features you’d not find on a traditional E-Type, such as air-conditioning and a heated windscreen
Mechanically there has also been a raft of chassis changes, with new suspension springs, anti-roll bars and adjustable shock absorbers.
Out go the 50-year-old brakes and in their place are vented discs and four-piston calipers.
Also changed are the wheels for larger – and lighter – wire-spoke versions as well as a slightly changed radiator grille and a wrap-around chrome bumper.
These new – larger and lighter – wheels are part of the substantial upgrade, as well as a slightly changed radiator grille and a wrap-around chrome bumper
The UK company showcased its first Unleashed model, based on a Series III E-Type – the final iteration of the iconic Jaguar sports car that went out of production in 1974
Like every car that will be put through the process, it takes 4,000 hours to complete. And once it’s finished, it will share many features with the 71-plate models in showrooms today
