Is there anything more British than fish and chips, a cup of tea, or the classic Jaguar E-type? At ECD, we don’t tend to think so. We also find it difficult to find anything more iconic than the 1960s Jaguar E-type. It’s a unique sports car that seems to exist in a class all its own. With the power to seamlessly blend the elements of speed, aesthetics, and legendary status, the 1960s Jaguar E-type is simply a classic sports car that can’t be matched. Here’s a look at the iconic past and dazzling present of the 1960s Jaguar E-type.

A Brief History of the 1960s Jaguar E-Type

Before going full throttle into the legacy of the 1960s Jaguar E-type, it’s essential first to look at the racecar that laid the foundation for its existence. In the 1950s, the Jaguar D-type was a sensational racecar that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for three straight years during 1955, 1956, and 1957. With a legacy already brewing, Jaguar Cars Ltd company knew it was time to capitalize on the success of the Jaguar D-type and create a British sports car that the masses could enjoy. Thus, the Jaguar E-type was born.

Upon seeing the very first Jaguar E-type in 1961, it is rumored that successful Italian supercar entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari dubbed the Jaguar E-type “the world’s most beautiful car.” That’s certainly high praise from a 60-year-old man who had driven countless race cars during his youth and had already created his own line of luxury sports cars. With such praise from Mr. Ferrari himself, it comes as little surprise that the Jaguar E-type was a huge commercial success for its British manufacturers.

The sports car remained in continuous production from 1961 to 1974, with three Series being released. The Series 1 E-type was produced from 1961 to 1968. This was followed up with the production of the Series 2 E-Type from 1968 to 1971. The final rendition came with the Series 3 E-type, which was produced from 1971 to 1974. In addition, the E-type was available in two distinct style options during its years of production, the coupe and the roadster. Of course, the coupe referred to the two-door hatchback style, while the roadster referred to the two-door convertible style.

Blending the Legacy of the 1960s Jaguar E-Type with the Modern Technology of Today

The dedicated team at ECD has been restoring vintage Land Rovers, Defenders, and Range Rovers for years now. However, in 2022 the decision was made to add a new vintage vehicle from the Jaguar Land Rover company to its restoration lineup. Thus, ECD clients now have the opportunity to get a restomod Land Rover and purchase a vintage Jaguar E-type built to their exact specifications.

Clients get the best of worlds with a vintage Jaguar E-type restoration build project from ECD. They not only get to sit behind the wheel of a vintage sports car that exudes character, class, and legacy, but they also get to enjoy all the modern conveniences and technology of today while enjoying their vintage ride. That’s because the skilled team of professionals at ECD excels in blending the history of vintage vehicles with the modern tech of the 21 century.

The original 1961 Jaguar E-type model was powered by a 3.8L 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine, which was later replaced by a 4.2L engine by October 1964. While both engines could reach a top speed of 150 mph, their power and performance are far from the engines available today. That’s why ECD clients can opt to place a 450 hp GM LT1 V-8 engine or even a Tesla electric motor under the hood of their restored Jaguar E-type.

Along with the drivetrain upgrades, these vintage Jaguar E-types from ECD can be completely customized to feature the exact colors, patterns, and textures the clients envision both on the exterior and interior. Plus, every Jaguar E-type build can be stacked with tech upgrades from electronic dashboards to Apple CarPlay to wireless charging stations to USB ports.

Get Your Own Restored 1960s Jaguar E-Type Today

While restomod Jaguar E-types are a relatively new venture at ECD headquarters, the team already has a couple of dozen Jaguar E-type restoration build projects in the works, and yours could be next. Whether you’re looking for a coupe or a roadster, the dedicated team at ECD can outfit your ride with all the modern amenities and tech you could ever want, all while maintaining the classic aesthetic of the 1960s Jaguar E-type.

To view all the vintage restoration projects taken on at ECD, check out the extensive portfolio, which is stacked with restomod Land Rovers, Defenders, Range Rovers, and of course, Jaguar E-types. When you’re ready to get started on your own restomod build project, contact us to learn more about the design and build process at ECD Automotive from top to bottom!