Jaguar announced in May 2014 that it would recreate six new Lightweight E-types, each built by Jaguar Classic, part of the automaker’s new Special Operations division.Each of the six cars has been built to a specification originated from the last Lightweight E-type produced in 1964 and handcrafted at the original home of the E- type, Jaguar’s Browns Lane plant in Coventry, England. The cars are sold as period competition vehicles and all can be FIA-homologated for historic motorsport purposes.The new Jags are the “missing” six vehicles from the “Special GT E-type” project, which 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 laid dormant, until now. The six new cars will carry those original, historic Lightweight E-type chassis numbers.
With only six “new” Lightweight E-types available, their buyers/owners were handpicked by Jaguar, who wanted them to take full advantage of the car’s racing pedigree rather than have it displayed in a garage or private museum.
Wearnes Automotive is involved in the acquisition of the sixth and last “new” Lightweight E-type for local car aficionado, Mr SK Quek, grandson of rubber magnate Quek Bak Song.
Having been a racer in his younger days and owned a 1961 white E-type roadster previously, 70-year-old Quek jumped at the chance to own this legendary racecar and plans to enter his Lightweight E-type in international classic car events and races such as Goodwood.
“This is a dream come true. It is amazing to be able to own such an automotive icon that has been painstakingly recreated and handcrafted down to the every last original detail,” commented Mr Quek, who is said to have paid $2.3 million for the special Jaguar.
