The first of Ten fully restored Jaguar E-Types direct from Jaguar Classic to be shown in Germany this week.

• First Reborn initiative for Jaguar Classic builds on successful Land Rover Classic programmes for Series I and Range Rover
• Jaguar Classic is offering an initial batch of 10 comprehensively restored Series 1 E-types for sale direct from its purpose-built facility in Coventry
• First E-type Reborn, a 1965 Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe 4.2, will make its world debut at Techno Classica Essen show in Germany
• Launch of exclusive Jaguar Bonnet Art extends E-type’s appeal to interior decoration

Jaguar Classic will debut its first ‘Reborn’ Jaguar E-type at the Techno-Classica Essen show in April. An initial batch of 10 expertly sourced and comprehensively restored examples of the iconic E-type are now offered for sale direct from the new Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in the UK.

E-type Reborn is a complete service from Jaguar Classic, which offers prospective customers the unique opportunity to purchase an original and highly collectible E-type direct from the vehicle’s original manufacturer. The launch of E-type Reborn is a first for Jaguar and extends the successful initiative previously introduced for Land Rover’s Series I and Range Rover Classic models, which will also be on show at Essen.

Every E-type Reborn, which starts with a base vehicle sourced by Jaguar’s E-type experts, is completely restored according to the company’s original 1960s factory specification. Unique access to build records and original drawings held by the Jaguar Heritage Trust, and the team’s decades of experience in restoration up to concours-winning standard, ensure absolute authenticity. Jaguar Classic Parts are used throughout, to maximise the vehicle’s quality, longevity and collectability.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “The launch of E-type Reborn is a hugely exciting development for Jaguar Classic. The E-type is the most iconic sports car of all time, so we are delighted to be able to give new life to expertly selected examples for discerning customers around the world to own and enjoy.

“The resources and information available to Jaguar Classic’s expert technicians are unrivalled, which results in the most authentic E-type restorations possible.”

The first vehicle to go through the complete E-type Reborn process is an Opalescent Gunmetal Grey Series 1 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe. Originally exported to California in May 1965, the car recorded 78,000 miles before being stored in 1983. It retains its original matching numbers bodyshell, engine and gearbox, all of which have been completely rebuilt by Jaguar Classic technicians.

As much of the original vehicle as possible is retained or refurbished to correct specifications, while any safety-critical parts are replaced with new items from Jaguar Classic Parts. Body panels from Jaguar Classic’s reverse-engineered panel programme are fitted where necessary, to remove corrosion and restore the E-type’s iconic looks with the best fit possible. The E-type Reborn team’s meticulous attention to detail even extends to recreating the correct type of spot-welding when refitting those panels.

A number of sympathetic upgrades from later E-types can be incorporated into the restoration process at extra cost, subject to the customer’s wishes, including improved cooling (using Lightweight E-type-derived parts), all-synchromesh gearbox (if not fitted to the vehicle originally), or Series 2 front brake calipers.

Prices for E-type Reborn restorations from Jaguar Classic are dependent on specification, starting from £285,000.

Jaguar E-type Reborn specification

• Originally produced: 1961-1968 (Series 1)
• Engine: 265bhp, 3781cc or 4235cc, in-line six-cylinder petrol
• Transmission: 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
• Brakes: Servo-assisted discs front and rear
• Top speed: 150mph
• 0-60mph: 7sec

The Jaguar E-type was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961 and was an instant hit. Its sensational jet aircraft-inspired lines and 150mph performance set a new benchmark for high-performance motoring in the 1960s. It was the most iconic sports car of its generation.

Such was the E-type's popularity it attracted star owners such as Steve McQueen, George Best, Sir Jackie Stewart, Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra. Racing examples were successfully campaigned by drivers including Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori and Briggs Cunningham.

More than 56 years since its debut, the E-type is still a sensational road car and race winner, and Jaguar Classic is the world’s number one source of authentic E-type parts and experiences.

E-type as art

There’s even more on offer for E-type enthusiasts at Techno-Classica Essen, as Jaguar showcases a new range of exclusive Jaguar Bonnet Art: E-type bonnets as an eye-catching wall-mounted ‘canvas’. Solid colours, racing roundels, racing stripes and one-off designs may all be commissioned. Prices start from £8,000. 

Classic Motor cars brings together two rare 1961 E-Types, one in pristine condition the other not so.

The Inside Story: Two Jaguar E-Types built on 24th August 1961 reunite after 55 years at Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth

Two Jaguar E-types that were built on the same day, 24^th August, in 1961 on the production line at Browns Lane in Coventry have been reunited at Classic Motor Cars (CMC) of Bridgnorth in Shropshire, United Kingdom, to celebrate their 55^th birthdays.

One E-Type was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive fixed head coupe; the other was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive roadster.

But these very early E-Types have lived different lives: the coupe is in pristine condition after having been restored by CMC; the roadster, a bit worn-down, has been off the road for 20 years, forgotten in a barn in Ireland until CMC found it and purchased it, and now requires a full restoration.

Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC, said: “This world is full of coincidences; that both the first inside bonnet lock RHD coupe and roadster to end up in the same restoration facility is one thing, but then to discover they were both produced on the same day - August 24th 1961 - is remarkable!”

CMC brought the two cars back together on Wednesday 24^th August and even provided a birthday cake to celebrate the reunion.

Jaguar produced just four highly sought after external bonnet lock coupes in RHD form before switching to an internal lock arrangement.

Stuart Cardwell, owner of the E-Type Coupe Chassis No. 860005, brought it to CMC several years ago and embarked on a rolling restoration: mechanical first, he took it away to enjoy it and brought it back for a bare metal body restoration, then repaint and finally back for a full retrim.

Subsequently, the car was entered to the prestigious Salon Prive event and concours at Blenheim Palace in September 2015, where it was awarded runner-up in its class.

Stuart Cardwell said: “This is the first time the two cars have been next to one another after they parted company 55 years ago. In the case of my car, it has been all over the world. It was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York in September 1961, sold to a Japanese collector in Tokyo in 1996 and repatriated back to the UK when I purchased it in 2012.”

He added: “CMC restored my car, which is now considered to be exactly as it would have left the factory in 1961 – no doubt they will do a stunning job bringing Chassis No. 92 back to life.”

The roadsters, on the other hand, went into production much sooner than the coupes hence some 91 outside bonnet lock cars were produced in RHD form and some 350 in LHD.

Neumark said: “We shouldn't be surprised to learn that the decision to switch to internal bonnet locks cars was applied across the board and implemented on the same day in 1961.”

E-Typer Roadster Chassis No. 850092 was dispatched to a Jaguar dealership in Dublin and has spent all its life in the Republic of Ireland. It was brought to the attention of CMC's Peter Neumark by a good friend in Co Navan, who was convinced it was Chassis No. 2.

Neumark was highly skeptical as the records stated it was destroyed in period after spending a hard year or two as a development car. Finally, the friend got good access to the car and discovered it was Chassis No. 92.

Neumark said: “The car had been off the road for over 20 years but with an impeccable history of five owners and with just over 24,000 miles on the clock, I was hooked and so was the car. An interesting negotiation with the canny Irish farmer was concluded with a handshake and a glass of Whiskey!”

He added: “It was only when the Heritage Certificate arrived from Jaguar that the same production date as the coupe was discovered. So we decided to invite Stuart with his car for a celebratory photo call with his car and the roadster.”

E-Type Roadster Chassis No. 92 requires a full restoration but has never been apart and has very little rot. It is for sale as a restoration project with CMC.

A pair of barn find jaguar E-Type Mark 1's are up for auction and restoration at the next CCA sale.

Two early Jaguar E-type barn finds, both ideal candidates for restoration projects, will be auctioned by Classic Car Auctions (CCA) at the June Sale on Saturday 18^th June at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa.

The first of the pair is a 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series I Fixedhead Coupe. Clearly a well-loved car, the first owner kept it for 30 years before it was passed on to its second owner in 1993. Driven for only two years, the car was then tucked away in a barn and has recently been discovered an amazing 20 years later.

This early E-Type is an original, highly desirable, UK right-hand drive manual now in need of some TLC.  Beneath the dust, this blue E-type presents in partially dismantled condition with the bumpers, headlamp covers, engine air filter and interior carpets removed. The bodywork appears to be sound with the original dashboard,glass and wheels still in place.

The car now offers an exciting opportunity for an E-type enthusiast to bring it back to life when it goes to auction this month with an estimate of £25,000 to £30,000.

Speaking ahead of the sale, Guy Lees-Milne, general manager of Classic Car Auctions, commented “The Jaguar E-type is one of the most recognised and iconic cars ever produced and is extremely popular among classic car fans. Barn finds such as these offer the chance to purchase a beautiful car at a great value price and bring back to its former glory, a labour of love which could also be a very savvy investment.”

The second E-type ready for resurrection is a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Coupe 2+2, a model which is currently increasing in value on the market. The right-hand drive, manual example with a 4-speed gearbox is an abandoned restoration project which ran out of steam some 15 years ago.

The car presents today as partially stripped with the bodyshell described as solid and in good order, currently partially painted in a grey oxide undercoat. The interior has been restored at some stage and can easily be returned to good condition. Though the Webasto roof is in a poor state, the car is up on its wheels with the engine, exhaust, gearbox, and steering all fitted.

The Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirms that the car was manufactured on 11^th July 1966 and originally finished in Opalescent Dark Blue. The chassis number also ties up and its original registration number was 'DSO 672E'. This unfinished project car comes with bags of potential and an auction sale estimate of between £12,000 and £15,000 for the ambitious prospective new owner.

This years Silverstone Classic will the biggest yet with a massive display of everything you can think of.

• American muscle cars out in force to mark UK club’s 20^th birthday 
• Special display and anniversary track parade on Saturday
• Car and Bike Clubs Display Package open until the end of May

As tradition dictates, this summer’s Silverstone Classic (29-31 July) will be home to a huge number of enthusiastic car clubs all celebrating significant model or marque milestones with vast displays and glittering track parades.

Recent events have exulted in record breaking birthday cavalcades of E-type Jaguars, Ferrari F40s, Porsche 911s, Ford Mustangs and Grand Prix racing cars. This year’s highlights will include an unprecedented gathering mighty Dodge Vipers, one of America’s most iconic muscle cars.

Originally conceived by Chrysler in the late eighties to be a modern day Cobra, the venomous Viper RT/10 Roadster first went on public sale in January 1992. While the finish of the dramatically styled two-door roadster was pretty spartan (there were no windows or exterior door handles!), it came with a Lamborghini-inspired 8-litre V10 engine and thus walloping 160+mph performance. A true US classic was born.

Four years later came a slightly more powerful and refined second generation Viper plus a GTS coupe version for road and track. Also in 1996, the United Kingdom Viper Club was formed and, thus, it is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a record-breaking display at the 2016 Silverstone Classic. 

“The Classic weekend is going to be the biggest event for us in what’s a very special year,” enthused Adrian Swift, President of the UK Viper Club. “We have at least 16 Vipers coming from Europe to join us at Silverstone and expect to have more than 30 Vipers in Saturday’s track parade. It will be the largest number of Vipers that has ever been gathered together at one spot in the UK!”

It’s not only the UK Viper Club that will be out in force in July; a colossal number of car clubs now make the Silverstone Classic the base for their annual celebrations, and 2016 is set to be no different. Owners and enthusiasts will be marking 50 years of the iconic Lamborghini Miura, 70 years of Allard and 80 years since the introduction of the evergreen Morgan 4/4 – a car that is still being crafted in Malvern today making it the longest single model production run in automotive history.

Amongst all these varied celebrations, the retro-styled Nissan Figaro will be honoured 25 years since its launch. The distinctive little convertible has acquired a cult following in the UK, and is sure to be a standout feature at the Silverstone Classic.

Homegrown classics enjoying their weekend in the spotlight include the Lotus Esprit turning 40 this year, the Jaguar XK8 celebrating its 20^th birthday, plus the Triumph GT6 and Vitesse 2 Litre, which are both 50. In fact, wherever you turn within Silverstone’s vast infield, there will be huge club displays and festivities taking place.

And it’s not too late for others to join the party either – but time is running out. Special ‘Car Club Packages’ are available until the end of May. These offer members of registered car and bike clubs the chance to purchase two adult tickets plus a coveted infield display parking pass at a significantly discounted price. Club registration is free and full details can be found on the official website: http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/whats-on/clubs.

Whether drawn by the record numbers of Vipers or the myriad of other attractions at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, visitors must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission starts at just £42 and sticks to the Classic’s widely-praised ‘access all areas’ policy. This provides admission to both National and Wing race paddocks, trackside grandstands, the vintage funfair, air displays and the live music concerts which this year include chart-toppers The Boomtown Rats, Reef and The Stranglers.

Jaguar Land Rovers SVR division to build its own stand alone cars ! Seems like its a possibility.

Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations unit may create its own cars instead of just modifying existing ones to build a following among consumers seeking a high-performance alternative to BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz.

"We're certainly looking at that, and we've got the capability to do that," said John Edwards, head of the company's performance unit. "Is there an opportunity for us to do a completely stand-alone car? Maybe."

JLR, which has been adding new vehicles to broaden its reach in the market, would be following in the footsteps of Daimler's Mercedes if it commissions sporty models from the high-performance division it founded last year. The German company's AMG unit has produced two: the SLS and the new GT, which replaced the gull-wing sports car last year as the top pure-performance model in the Mercedes lineup.

Like JLR's SVR project, in which the R stands for "race," Mercedes AMG, BMW Group's M and Audi’s RS units also make performance versions of their brands' regular cars, with more powerful engines, sporty design elements and track-tuned suspensions -- and higher price tags.

The strategy makes sense for nameplates with racing pedigrees, said Peter Fuss, a partner at consulting company Ernst & Young's German unit. "It's part of their genes," Fuss said. "The rise in AMG sales shows it's been a good way to attract buyers happy to spend that little bit extra."

Sales targets

Mercedes AMG sold 47,500 last year, more than doubling deliveries since 2011. That was about 2.9 percent of Mercedes's total sales of 1.65 million cars, a small but profitable segment.

The high-performance AMG version of the Mercedes E-class sedan, for example, comes with a 550hp engine and costs $93,600, 81 percent more than the 195hp base version, while the $222,000, 621hp S65 AMG costs more than double the basic S-class sedan. The M variant of the BMW 3 series has more than double the horsepower and, at $62,000, costs 60 percent more.

JLR doesn't disclose deliveries of individual business units. The performance division will probably never contribute more than 10 percent of the carmaker's sales, Edwards said in a March 3 interview. Itself a luxury unit of India's Tata Motors, JLR wants to boost its deliveries this year to more than 500,000 vehicles. Still, it's an opportunity to "stretch the Jaguar Land Rover brand," Edwards said.

Priciest SUV

The high-performance and custom cars division started selling JLR's priciest-ever SUV last month. The big, modified Range Rover Sport SVR costs 93,450 pounds ($142,500) and accelerates faster than the two-seat Porsche Boxster or Cayman.

JLR also put the new unit in charge of vehicle customization and heritage. Options for putting one's own stamp on a vehicle will be similar to what Ferrari and Rolls-Royce buyers are used to, Edwards said. Customization "is a huge area for our Range Rover customers," he said. Customers often spend an extra 25,000 pounds for one-of-a-kind features like matching the color to a handbag or another car, embroidering a crest on the interior or customizing the wood on the doors or dashboard.

The division is also building the Project 7 variant of the Jaguar F-Type. Capped at 250 vehicles, it will have the quickest acceleration of any Jaguar. And this month, it finished the first of six hand-built versions of the classic Lightweight E- Type. Even at more than 1 million pounds apiece, they've already sold out.

REPORT HERE

Ultra rare jaguar watches crafted to celbrate the 6 new E-Types being built.

• Jaguar and Bremont to create a series of six unique wristwatches
• Bespoke chronometers will complement the six new Lightweight E-types being built by Jaguar Heritage to finalise original 1963 production run
• 43mm watch features a black dial based on Lightweight E-type RPM gauge
• Chamfered hour and minute hands replicate the instrument’s tachometer needle
• Chassis number of the matching Lightweight E-type is printed at the six o’clock position
• Each watch carries engine number of the car it is paired with
• Aluminium saved from Lightweight E-type construction used in white gold cases
• Bremont debuts first proprietary self-winding movement, beautifully finished with a 50hr power reserve and fitted with ‘steering wheel’ rotor
• Winding crown engraved with the pattern of the period-correct Dunlop racing tyres to be fitted to the continuation Lightweights
• Alloy-spoked Lightweight steering wheel with authentic wooden rim found at the back of each watch, forming part of the rotor
• Watch will make its public debut alongside the new Lightweight E-type at Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance 14 August 2014

Today Jaguar announces further news in its relationship with the Bremont Watch Company and reveals one of six unique wristwatches to be offered to customers of the six new Lightweight E-types to be built by Jaguar Heritage. 

"The Lightweight E-type project is so special that we thought we really needed to create something which complemented the cars and, since most classic enthusiasts also tend to be horophiles, a wristwatch seemed to be the answer," says Jaguar's director of design, Ian Callum.

"Bremont was the obvious choice as a partner, both because we have worked closely together in the past on the clocks for the C-X75 and XJ75 Platinum concept cars and because, like Jaguar, it is a quintessentially British brand.

"We didn't want a watch that was too obvious in terms of design, but something which captured the spirit of the Lightweight in a subtle yet relevant way and I think Bremont has certainly achieved that goal.”

Giles English, who co-founded Bremont in 2002 with his brother, Nick, says the new Lightweight watches provided the firm with the perfect opportunity to take the important step of launching its own, proprietary movement.

"We have been working on designing, developing and producing our first exclusive movement for more than a year, and it seems fitting that it is going to make one of its first appearances in this very special watch for Jaguar," said Giles.

"Creating the watch proved to be a fascinating project, as we were given access to the Jaguar archives in order, for example, to ascertain the exact font for the numerals used on the dial of the original rev counters. The fact that we were required to make just six examples enabled us to be very creative in a way that is not always possible when designing a watch for larger scale production - and that's why we have been able to feature touches such as using real wood for the rim of the 'steering wheel' winding rotor. Each watch is, essentially, bespoke."

Drawing inspiration directly from the car, the 43mm watch features a black dial based on the look of a Lightweight RPM gauge and featuring a subtle 'red zone' quadrant. The chamfered hour and minute hands replicate the instrument's tachometer needle, while the chassis number of the relevant car is printed at the six o'clock position.

The central band of the white gold case is made from aluminium saved during the construction of the new Lightweight body panels and will be anodised to match the colour of the car it is designed to complement.

Other touches include a winding crown which is engraved with the pattern of the period-correct Dunlop racing tyres which will be fitted to the continuation Lightweights, and straps made from the same Connolly leather which is being used for the interior trim.

Turning the watch over reveals a further reference to the car in the form of the automatic winding rotor - visible through a sapphire crystal case back - which takes the form of an exquisite miniaturisation of an alloy-spoked Lightweight steering wheel, complete with authentic wooden rim. The back of each watch also carries the engine number of the car it is paired with.

Jaguar first collaborated with the Henley-on-Thames based watch company during the launch of the cutting edge Jaguar C-X75 in 2010, for which Bremont developed a unique, analogue dashboard clock in keeping with the 778 horsepower hybrid supercar's futuristic nature and 205 mph performance.

The two quintessentially British firms have now reinforced their partnership following the announcement earlier this year that Jaguar Land Rover's Special Operations division would complete the Lightweight E-type project through its Jaguar heritage division.

The new cars are the 'missing' six vehicles from the 'Special GT E-type' project, which originally started in February 1963 with the objective of building 18 cars. Only 12 of the aluminium-bodied Lightweight E-types were eventually built and the remaining six designated chassis numbers having lain dormant, until now. The six new cars will carry those original, historic Lightweight E-type chassis numbers.

Each of the six cars will be built to the exact specification of the last Lightweight E-type produced in 1964 and will be hand-crafted at the original home of the E-type, Jaguar’s Browns Lane plant in Coventry, England. The cars will be sold as period competition vehicles and all will be suitable for FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes.

A race winner in the hands of a variety of famous drivers during its short competitive career, the car has achieved worldwide fame and original examples are now valued in the many millions. In recreating the Lightweight E-type, Jaguar Heritage has been able to call on the superlative skills and experience of many talented engineers and technicians already working in a variety of departments within Jaguar.

The launch of this exclusive Lightweight E-Type watch marks the start of a long-term relationship for Jaguar and Bremont. Future editions will be announced at a later date.

SPECIFICATIONS - BREMONT LIGHTWEIGHT E-TYPE CHRONOMETER

Case: 43mm white gold case with aluminium centre ring made from material saved during Lightweight panel construction.

Movement: BWC/01 Bremont proprietary, self-winding movement, beautifully finished with a 50hr power reserve and fitted with ‘steering wheel’ rotor.

Dial: Based on Lightweight RPM gauge and marked with car chassis number.

Strap: Connolly leather, as used for Lightweight upholstery.

Number to be built: Six