Kent-based E-Type UK has completed and delivered a ground-up restoration of a beautiful 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 2+2 Coupé back to its customer. This is however no ordinary restoration, as the car has been subtly upgraded whilst preserving the character of the original car.
No expense has been spared in making this E-Type Jaguar one of the finest in existence, as commissioned by the customer and owner of this highly desirable car.
Founded back in 2008, E-Type UK was created out of a passion for this truly iconic classic car, and a desire to return them to their former glory. The company, run by father and son duo Dominic and Marcus Holland, has earned a reputation for their attention to detail and precision of their work and professionalism.
The company has pushed the boundaries of what is possible and specialises in E-Type upgrades, including pioneering V12 and XK fuel-injection systems and five-speed gearboxes, which adds that extra touch to give the driver a truly unique driving experience whilst remaining true to the marque.
Whilst the number of customer commissions on Series 3 models has grown steadily for E-Type UK, such as their much-celebrated top-spec special edition, it is not that often 2+2 coupé models are chosen by customers for a full top-level restoration and upgrade programme, which is the case in this instance.
The owner of this 1973 model looked to E-Type UK to create a reliable car that had some subtle modernisations carried out to it, thereby improving the driving characteristics and making it a car that can be driven every day.
The car was completely stripped down before the restoration work could begin. This process exposed previous shoddy repairs, such as the inner arches being patched with layers of tin! The metal work was repaired to its original specification and a bespoke aluminium bonnet was fabricated to reduce the front-end weight. The colour chosen to repaint the car in is a beautiful shade of Opalescent Gunmetal.
The original engine has been fully rebuilt and fitted with a combination of engine upgrades synonymous with E-Type UK. Namely their electronic fuel injection system with larger throttle bodies, an aluminium radiator and header tank and a new all-important 12-branch tubular stainless steel sports exhaust system to allow the V12 to sing! E-Type UK are experts in electronic fuel injection on these models and have been developing systems for a number of years now. This means the cars benefit from improved performance, reliability and efficiency. The uprated cooling system helps to maintain an ideal operating temperature, while the larger throttle bodies allow for increased air flow and coupled with the free-flowing stainless steel exhaust system, ensure the engine sounds as great as it performs.
The car’s suspension has been heavily revised for improved road handling and ride comfort with all-round adjustable suspension, including sports torsion bars, an anti-roll bar and uprated bushes. This combination has transformed the handling of the E-Type. To compliment the handling upgrade, AP Racing brakes replace the original units, with larger diameter discs, aluminium calipers and an increase from three to four pistons, which increase the stopping power whilst reducing weight. The restored car has been shod with 16-inch Turino wire wheels, which were chosen not only for their aesthetics and originality, but also because they allow for the fitment of modern tyres to give the car improved traction, as well as reducing corner weight thanks to the aluminium rims and stronger stainless-steel spokes than the standard wheels.
The revised and improved drivetrain package is complimented with an uprated 5-speed gearbox, which gives the car revised gearing, making it not only ideal for those tight country lanes but also for longer motorway driving.
The interior of the restored E-Type has been fully retrimmed in Oxblood Red leather. The 15-inch wooden steering wheel helps make the most of the car’s spritely handling, whilst bespoke classically-styled inertia reel seat belts have been fitted for improved comfort and safety. A special LED dash light conversion improves visibility at night and a period style stereo system, hiding full modern internals which include Bluetooth capability, finishes the car’s interior to perfection.
E-Type UK Founder Marcus Holland commented on the restoration: “We treat every model of E-Type with the same respect whether in for service, restoration or sale, and seeing this 2+2 completed to such a standard is incredibly satisfying. Like our clients, we are big believers in using these special cars, so it is a real joy knowing that this on-the-button E-Type will be regularly on the road with that cavernous boot full of luggage.”
There is no doubt that E-Type UK have outdone themselves with the restoration of this gorgeous 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 2+2 Coupé, which has to now be one of the finest examples around today.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor-in-Chief of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.
Photographs courtesy of E-Type UK
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