The Jaguar E-Type That Costs $500,000

Ridiculous Rides

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.”

Transcript

00:01It's the look, it's the feel. We love the Series 1e type.

00:06Any modifications we've done are in keeping with the original designs.

00:11You can see the quality, you can see the work that's gone into this.

00:15This really is a car forever for the future.

00:18Elegant, iconic and classic.

00:21A sleek British classic described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made.

00:35It's the look, it's the feel. We love the Series 1e type.

00:40But what happens when you approach 60s beauty with modern tech?

00:46If they'd have had the technology available to them at the time when they first created the e-type,

00:50they would have tried to create something like this.

00:54I don't think they could have done it as well, but that's just a personal opinion on that.

00:58This is the evolution e-type, an updated take on a Jaguar masterpiece.

01:06Elegant, iconic and classic.

01:09This is our Jaguar e-type Series 1 fixed head coupe.

01:15This is the first of its kind from us.

01:18You can see the immaculate paintwork, you can see the lines on the body look just fabulous.

01:24There's something different here.

01:26Right now we're looking at the heart of the vehicle and it's the original 3.8 XK engine.

01:31This is a 1964 restoration vehicle.

01:35You can see the quality, you can see the work that's gone into this.

01:38You can see all the different things, different bits that we've manufactured ourselves.

01:41You can see all the stainless steel we've used inside.

01:44What you can't see on this side is stainless steel exhaust manifolds which prevent the rusting.

01:49This really is a car forever for the future because it's made out of materials that won't let you down in five, six, seven years time.

01:57This particular engine puts out around 300 brake horsepower.

02:01It's a 3.8 engine but it is high torque.

02:03It's been stroked and bored out so it really behaves more like a 4.2.

02:08But any modifications we've done are in keeping with the original designs.

02:12And it's on the road that you'll most appreciate those modifications.

02:19This model does have electric power steering.

02:22It's got air conditioning.

02:24And it drives well, it handles well, it brakes well.

02:30Most people who've driven a series 1e type have a few complaints over the handling or the braking.

02:37Anything you can think of, we've engineered, redesigned and fixed their problems.

02:43And the guys at Evolution are ready to build your very own version of the E-Type,

02:48providing you're prepared to part with the best part of half a million dollars.

02:53The hardest bit is getting the immediate bodywork right.

02:56All these sheets are laser cut.

02:58This has to be done precisely because obviously this is the foundation of the car.

03:02If you get it wrong at this stage, you've got untold problems later on.

03:05And creating such a beauty is no easy task.

03:09With the outer shell, this is all hand-wheeled, hand-beaten panels.

03:13Probably the most important bit, getting that iconic look.

03:16And once these vehicles are ready to hit the road, there's one job that everybody loves.

03:22The test drive.

03:24It's like a dream job really, getting to drive one of these cars.

03:27People just stop and stare, it's definitely a head-turner.

03:30I've had to go on an original E-Type before and there is a massive comparison.

03:34Driving an original one, it's like an antique really.

03:38My favourite part of the car is the engine sound.

03:40And it's not just the changes under the hood that make a big difference.

03:44It's a full leather interior, where the original ones tend to be vinyl.

03:49When you get in one of these, you can just smell petrol and leather, how it's supposed to be really.

03:54And you can expect to see more of these cars out on the road soon.

03:58Because for a company that dared to improve on perfection, business is booming.

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