The day that the first head-turning Jaguar E-type rolled off the production line, a living legend was truly born. The initial concept of the E-type was inspired by the racing Jaguar D-type. Throughout the late 1950s, the D-type dominated the racing circuit, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956, and 1957.

With public recognition of the Jaguar brand at an all-time high, thanks to the D-type's success on the track, the company knew it was the perfect time to create a British sports car that rivaled the D-type but could be enjoyed by the masses. Take a look into the past and lasting legacy of one of the most beautiful sports cars ever made.

Jaguar Series I through III (1961-1975): Series I (1961-1968)

Throughout its production years, Jaguar released three different series of the E-type. The Series I Jaguar E-type remained in production from 1961 to 1968. From the very beginning, the E-type was offered in two distinct body styles: the roadster and the coupe. The Roadster body style features a convertible soft-top layout. In contrast, the coupe body style features the classic hard-top hatchback look.

While the vast majority of these E-types featured the iconic two-seater layout, Jaguar did begin adding a 2+2 version of the coupe-style to production in 1966. Along with this differentiation, the Series 1 E-types can also be categorized by their engine types. The Series 1 E-types produced up until 1965 all featured a 3.8L engine. In 1965, the engine in the Series 1 E-types was upgraded to a 4.2L engine.

In addition, there are certain elements that make the Jaguar Series I clearly distinguishable from the later renditions of the E-type. Some of the more recognizable features that were trademarks of the Jaguar Series I include glass-covered headlights, signal lights, and tail lights above the bumpers, and the exhaust tips being located under the license plate in the rear. It's estimated that Jaguar produced just over 38,000 Series I E-types between 1961 and 1968.

Jaguar Series I through III (1961-1975): Series II (1968-1971)

The Jaguar Series II was introduced in 1968 and stayed in production until 1971. Some key changes made to the Jaguar Series II included open headlights without glass covers, tail lights being relocated below the bumper, larger front indicators, and a new wrap-around rear bumper. The Jaguar Series II stayed consistent with the same 4.2L engine that was utilized in the later renditions of the Series I E-types. Estimates indicate that just under 19,000 Jaguar Series II E-types were produced between 1968 and 1971.

Jaguar Series I through III (1961-1975): Series III (1971-1975)

The final rendition of the Jaguar E-type came with the Series III, which was produced from 1971 to 1975. The final series was upgraded with a 5.3L Jaguar V12 engine. In addition, the Jaguar Series III came with uprated brakes and standard power steering on all models. Some of the key features of the Jaguar Series III that make it distinguishable from previous renditions include a slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, and a badge located on the rear, denoting the V12 engine. It's estimated that just over 15,000 Jaguar Series III E-types were produced from 1971 to 1975.

Restoring a Vintage E-Type

The process of sourcing and restoring a custom vintage Jaguar E-type can be quite complicated. However, with the team at ECD on your side, it doesn't have to be! ECD clients have the opportunity to select which Jaguar Series they want their E-type to be from, along with which body style they prefer. Plus, every client gets to customize their vintage E-type through a variety of different engine options, interior and exterior stylings, and tech features.

Two of the most popular engine options among ECD clients for their vintage E-type include the 450-hp LT1 engine and the 450-hp electric motor setup. ECD has recently introduced a second-generation electric motor setup where refurbished Tesla cells are no longer part of the equation. When it comes to the Jaguar E-type, the new 2nd generation electric motor setup features a 42 kWh setup with a 150-mile range. In addition, ECD's 2nd generation electric motor setup introduces DC fast charging across the board.

Along with having the ability to select a modern engine option for their E-type restomod, ECD clients have the opportunity to completely customize their E-type through various tech features and styling options. Just take a look at Project Dallas. This custom E-type restomod project from ECD features a Jaguar Series III with a modern LT1 engine. This E-type is finished in full gloss Sherwood Green and sports handmade Borrani Wheels paired with Pirelli Black Wall tires. In addition, Project Dallas is brought back to life and integrated into the modern world with fine Grade Nappa Leather, European Weave Carpet, and Bluetooth technology.

Let the Team at ECD Handle Your Custom Jaguar E-type Build Project

No matter what configurations you choose for your Jaguar E-type restomod build, the team at ECD is dedicated to providing a luxury design experience for each and every client. The starting price of a custom Jaguar E-type from ECD is $289,995.

So, what are you waiting for? The possibility of sitting behind the wheel of your dream sports car is just a few months away! Contact us today to learn how to start the design and build process.

If you're still on the fence or are simply in need of a little more inspiration for your upcoming build project, be sure to check out our custom builds portfolio or our YouTube channel to see the full range of possibilities that come with an ECD custom build.