The Jaguar E-Type That Costs $500,000
A CAR trader specialising in Jaguar E-Types have taken what they describe as “the best car ever made” and given it a bespoke update that is fit for the modern world. The company, Evolution, have been restoring E-types for over 12 years and have used new technology to improve this 60s car while retaining its classic exterior body. Alex Cluderay, who works for Evolution, said: “This really is a car forever for the future. We’ve engineered, redesigned and fixed their problems.”
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MotorTranscript
00:00 It's the look, it's the feel. We love the Series 1 E-Type. Any modifications we've done
00:08 are in keeping with the original designs. You can see the quality, you can see the work
00:13 that's gone into this. This really is a car forever for the future. Elegant, iconic and
00:20 classic.
00:21 A sleek British classic, described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made.
00:36 It's the look, it's the feel. We love the Series 1 E-Type.
00:40 But what happens when you approach 60s beauty with modern tech?
00:46 If they'd have had the technology available to them at the time when they first created
00:50 the E-Type, they would have tried to create something like this. I don't think they could
00:54 have done it as well, but that's just our personal opinion on that.
00:58 This is the Evolution E-Type, an updated take on a Jaguar masterpiece.
01:05 Elegant, iconic and classic.
01:09 This is our Jaguar E-Type Series 1 fixed head coupe. This is the first of its kind from
01:17 us. You can see the immaculate paintwork, you can see the lines on the body look just
01:23 fabulous.
01:24 There's something different here. Right now we're looking at the heart of the vehicle
01:28 and it's the original 3.8 XK engine. This is a 1964 restoration vehicle. You can see
01:35 the quality, you can see the work that's gone into this. You can see all the different things,
01:39 different bits that we've manufactured ourselves. You can see all the stainless steel we've
01:43 used inside. What you can't see on this side is stainless steel exhaust manifolds which
01:48 prevent the rusting. This really is a car forever for the future because it's made out
01:52 of materials that won't let you down in five, six, seven years' time.
01:58 This particular engine puts out around 300 brake horsepower. It's a 3.8 engine, but it
02:03 is high torque because it's been stroked and bored out, so it really behaves more like
02:07 a 4.2. Any modifications we've done are in keeping with the original designs.
02:14 And it's on the road that you'll most appreciate those modifications.
02:19 This model does have electric power steering. It's got air conditioning and it drives well,
02:25 it handles well, it brakes well. Most people who've driven a Series 1 E-Type have a few
02:33 complaints over the handling or the braking. Anything you can think of, we've engineered,
02:40 redesigned and fixed the problems.
02:43 And the guys at Evolution are ready to build your very own version of the E-Type, providing
02:49 you're prepared to part with the best part of half a million dollars.
02:53 The hardest bit is getting the immediate body work right. All these sheets are laser cut.
02:58 This has to be done precisely because obviously this is the foundation of the car. If you
03:02 get it wrong at this stage, you've got untold problems later on.
03:06 And creating such a beauty is no easy task.
03:09 With the outer shell, this is all hand wheeled, hand beaten panels. Probably the most important
03:14 bit, getting that iconic look.
03:16 And once these vehicles are ready to hit the road, there's one job that everybody loves.
03:22 The test drive.
03:23 It's like a dream job really, getting to drive one of these cars. People just stop and stare.
03:28 It's definitely a head turner. I've had to go in an original E-Type before and there
03:32 is a massive comparison. Driving an original one, if you take it, an antique really, my
03:38 favourite part of the car is the engine sound.
03:40 And it's not just the changes under the hood that make a big difference.
03:44 It's a full leather interior, where the original ones were technically vinyl. When you get
03:50 in one of these, you can just smell petrol and leather, how it's supposed to be really.
03:54 And you can expect to see more of these cars out on the road soon. Because for a company
04:00 that dare to improve on perfection, business is booming.
04:04 (upbeat music)