In one of the first news articles posted on MotorMartin https://motormartin.com/2015/10/30/news-jaguar-e-type-revealed-as-best-british-car-ever-at-classic-sports-car-the-london-show/ it was reported that the classic E-type Jaguar was, deservedly, voted the best British car ever at the Classic & Sports Car London Show. And what a car the E-type is, revolutionary, extremely fast even now and oh so beautiful. Surely this is a car that would grace any dream garage. Well Stratstones certainly seem to think so, and who can blame them. When the news below was communicated to MotorMartin, it was received with mix of awe and jealousy, I’ll let you decide in which order though.
Stratstone have informed MotorMartin that they have recently been revealed as the owner of one of the famous 2015 Jaguar Lightweight E-types. Chassis number 15 is one of the infamous ‘Missing Six’ and didn’t have to travel far from the iconic Jaguar Browns Lane production facility in Coventry as it made its way to its new base at Stratstone Jaguar London in Mayfair.
For those of you interested in all things Jaguar, as I am, the fascinating story of the Lightweight E-type dates back to February 1963 and the intended 18-car ‘Special GT E-type’ race car project from that time. However, only 12 of the 18 were built and delivered by the Browns Lane competitions department between 1963 and 1964, which gave rise to the infamous ‘Missing Six’. These missing chassis numbers – 13 to 18 – were found in 2014, and so, rather incredibly, the modern-day production by Jaguar Land Rover’s new Special Vehicle Operations division’s Jaguar Classic, got underway. And thank goodness it did.
The modern incarnation of the Lightweight, MotorMartin has been told, saw Jaguar Classic draw on the company’s original 1960s tooling and production methods, and it’s unique highly experienced engineering and design resources. Replete with world-leading aluminium body technology, skilled hand craftsmanship, the six-cylinder XK engine with its aluminium block, wide angle aluminium cylinder head and dry sump lubrication (derived from the Le-Mans winning D-type of the 1950s), the 2015 Lightweight E-type is both original and special in every way.
In another stroke of good fortune for those in the privileged position to purchase one of these amazing machines, the cars are delivered as period competition vehicles, fully compliant with FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes. All of the ‘Missing Six’ are built to period-exact dimensions and specifications, ensuring absolute authenticity and a modern-day build to the highest quality standards. Can you have your cake and eat it? Jaguar have made sure that you can.
Trevor Finn, CEO of Stratstone’s parent company Pendragon PLC, commented to MotorMartin that: “Our intention for this very special Jaguar is that it will serve as a living and dynamic ambassador for Stratstone across the UK and Europe. A passion for cars and motorsports is ingrained at the heart of Stratstone and its illustrious heritage. This car brings its own legacy and we’re delighted to be a part of its story. It was a pleasure to have the chance to work with Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations and we’re proud and privileged to have been successful in securing one of the ‘missing six’. We want E-type 15 to be the UK’s E-type and the plan is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see it in a variety of locations.” Excellent sentiments indeed.
Handing over the keys to Chassis Number 15, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations’ Managing Director, John Edwards shared with MotorMartin that: “The remit of Jaguar Classic is to indulge our most discerning and enthusiastic fans’ passion for our cars, and I am delighted to officially hand over this special Jaguar Lightweight E-type to Stratstone. The E-type is an iconic car, especially in London, so to deliver it to its new home right here in the heart of the capital is really something quite special.”
To watch a video of the car being unveiled at the event last night visit https://youtu.be/WLkz-UF8egk and find out more about the story of #StratstoneEtype on its dedicated website http://www.stratstone.com/jaguar/e-type/
It’s certainly heartening to know that due to the hard work of Trevor Finn and the team at Stratstone at least one of these iconic cars is to stay in the UK and will be available to view at various locations in the coming months and years. Well done Stratstone and don’t forget to give MotorMartin a call if you’re looking for a driver…
Where will you go?