Jaguar to complete Lightweight E-Type production

JAGUAR has announced that it plans to complete the 18-car production run of the Jaguar Lightweight E-Type, which was suspended in 1964.

Only 12 of the high-performance sports car were built, but now the remaining six cars are being handmade at its Browns Lane factory, in Coventry.

Jaguar expects high demand for the cars – predicted to cost about £1m each – and will prioritise sales to collectors with historic race car interests.

The Lightweight E-type was a stripped down version with 114 kg shaved off for more speed and better performance. It differed from the standard E-Type in having an all-aluminium monocoque and aluminium body panels over a steel chassis, as well as a 3.8-liter, straight six XK engine with an aluminium engine block and head. To further keep the weight down, the interior trim and chrome work were left off, and even the windows were designed to save the odd ounce.

It was raced by the likes of Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham.

Jaguar’s global PR manager, Dan Connell, said the revival of the car had been prompted by the launch of the Jaguar F-type in 2013.

“The E-type was in the minds of a lot of people when we made that car,” he said.

He said the first car was already being built and would be unveiled in the summer. Production is likely to last throughout 2014 and into 2015.