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. 

USA - The first retail production 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector’s Edition to be auctioned.

The first retail production 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector’s Edition will be auctioned Friday, April 8, in lot #3003 at 6 p.m. EDT at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach, Fl. Auction.  One hundred percent of the sale price from the auction will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

The auction extends General Motors’ long-standing support of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of only 45 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. Last year, the auction raised $200,000 by auctioning the first Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan at Barrett-Jackson.

Chevrolet is donating the first retail production, VIN #001 – of the all-new Corvette Grand Sport Collector’s Edition – in support of Karmanos Cancer Institute’s 34th Annual Dinner which will be held Saturday, April 16, at Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, Mich. 

In addition, the GM Foundation has once again made a significant grant of $400,000 to also fund cancer research at Karmanos.

This year’s Annual Dinner Chairs are Paula and Steve Kiefer, vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors. This is the sixth consecutive year General Motors has been a major sponsor for this signature fundraiser, with a GM executive chairing the event.

The Karmanos Cancer Institute is a unique, integrated center of research, patient care and education, dedicated to the prevention, early detection, treatment and eventual eradication of cancer. Based in Detroit, Mich., Karmanos is at the forefront of developing new cancer treatments that will benefit cancer patients around the globe.

Grand Sport, the latest member of the Corvette lineup, combines signature Corvette DNA with ingenious engineering to create a stunning, track-ready aerodynamic sports car. 

The Grand Sport Collector Edition is a limited production edition and features a Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes, black wheels and an exclusive Tension Blue full leather and suede-wrapped interior. 

The Tension Blue color is a bold, modern take on the hue historically associated with the Grand Sport. Inside, a three-dimensional representation of an original Grand Sport race car is embossed in the headrests and that shape is also used on an instrument panel plaque that carries a unique build sequence number.

The 2017 Grand Sport features a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine, capable of 460 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. The compact design lowers the hoodline, providing optimal weight balance. 

A dry-sump oil system delivers oil flow through the most extreme cornering, helping Grand Sport deliver a consistently high level of performance. The coupe and convertible go on sale this summer in the U.S. and in the fall in Europe. The Collector’s Edition will be offered later in the model year in the U.S. and Europe.

The first All-New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, a 1.6 litre Elite CDTi, rolls off the Ellesmere Port Production line.

• First Astra Sports Tourer rolls off production line today
• Plant recognised for production of highest quality
• All-new Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms in March
• Smaller outside, bigger inside – up to 200kg lighter than outgoing model

Vauxhall and sister company Opel celebrated the official start of Astra Sports Tourer production at its plant in Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom. The first vehicle to roll off the production line in Cheshire was an Elite 1.6CDTi, in Flip Chip Silver.

Jubilant plant workers were joined by Peter Thom, General Motors’ Vice President Global Manufacturing and Stefan Fesser, Ellesmere Port Plant Director. Thom was visiting to hand over the 2015 Winner for Safety award, won by the plant. Fesser also collected 2015 Winner for Vauxhall/Opel Astra Hatchback Launch awarded by Jim Deluca, Executive Vice President and Thom. Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the employees, the plant beat world-class competition from across Europe to build the new car.

The Ellesmere Port Plant is a significant contributor to the local and national economies building over five million vehicles since 1964.  The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production going to 25 European markets. At full production it is estimated the plant will build around 680 cars per day and 120,000 per year.

UK firms, including those in manufacturing, utilities, construction, transportation and storage, benefit from almost £70 million gross value added directly from Vauxhall’s investment in Ellesmere Port.*

“This first Astra Sports Tourer marks another milestone in the great history of Vauxhall manufacturing in the North-West,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “The all-new Astra is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Ellesmere Port. I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.”

Like its five-door hatch sibling, the Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology.

The Sports Tourer further extends the dynamic lines of the five-door. The slightly arched sloping roofline gives the Sports Tourer a longer appearance, an effect that is further enhanced by the divided C-pillar. The rear view combines high functionality with elegant design. The Sports Tourer has a stable, robust and safe stance, the muscular rear-wheel arch contours and the divided rear light clusters add to this impression.

The latest generation Sports Tourer has the same dimensions as the outgoing model with a length of 4,702mm, a width of 1,871mm (with exterior mirrors folded in) and a height of 1,499mm – however, it offers much more space for passengers and luggage. The driver can enjoy 26mm of additional headroom, passengers in the rear have 28mm more, providing more space and comfort. The Sports Tourer’s total cargo capacity is now 1,630 litres, thanks to more efficient packaging.

The powertrain portfolio features petrol and diesel units ranging from 100PS to 200PS, including an all-new 1.4-litre (150PS) ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo and the recently-launched 1.6-litre CDTi Whisper Diesel.  The 200PS version of the 1.6-litre ECOTEC petrol will celebrate its world premiere at Frankfurt.

Depending on the model and trim level it is up to 200kg lighter than its predecessor. The completely new vehicle architecture plays a major role in the weight reduction. Every component was checked for compact design and lightweight materials. The body shell weight alone was reduced by 20 per cent from 357kg to 280kg.

The Astra Sports Tourer also features OnStar, the ground-breaking connectivity technology now available across Europe. OnStar includes high-speed 4G LTE mobile network, emergency response notification and stolen vehicle recovery alert. The Sports Tourer is also one of the first vehicles from a mainstream manufacturer to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available through a new version of the IntelliLink infotainment system.

*Source: Centre for Economics and Business Research