Though restomods are a relatively new trend, getting the best from the Jaguar E-Type has been occupying specialists for decades. See companies like Eagle, which has been plying its trade for almost 40 years. Now E-Type UK, founded in 2008 as a dealer, restorer, and rebuilder of Jaguar's most famous car, is to broaden its remit and build restomod projects under the 'Unleashed' brand. It is duly promising a car "refined and upgraded in every way to create the ultimate incarnation of Jaguar's icon."
This one is the first Unleashed car, a Series 3 V12. Yep, this is what E-Type UK can do with the least desirable E-Type! Predictably, this is no ordinary V12, with the 5.3 rebored for extra capacity, the resulting 6.1-litre engine delivering 400hp. There's also bespoke fuel injection, a ceramic coated sports exhaust, a new five-speed manual, and a lightened flywheel as well - no lazy V12 here, you'd imagine. For peace of mind uprated ancillaries are also fitted, including a new high-flow rad, oil cooler and fans.
Containing that performance are bigger brakes with four-piston calipers and braided lines (fitted behind larger, 16-inch wire wheels), adjustable dampers, PU suspension bushings and uprated anti-roll bars. E-Type UK says the work "takes the handling ability of the Unleashed to even greater heights."
That said, as we all know, a restomod isn't really completed until it's cosmetically perfect as well, and E-Type UK is well ahead of us in that respect. Notable exterior tweaks for this Unleashed include unique chrome bumpers front and rear, a new front grille, extended bonnet louvres and LED headlights. Perhaps the latter sit a little incongruously on an E-Type, but it's hard to argue with the end result, especially with the ride height obviously lower than standard.
And that's before checking out the interior, which may well be the best bit. Entirely retrimmed and hand-stitched, the leather-lined cabin of this E-Type looks perfect for any occasion. Furthermore, with air-con, Bluetooth, electric windows and even heated seats, there'll be no excuse not to drive it. Everywhere.
Given all that work, it'll be little surprise to learn the E-Type UK Unleashed is neither a cheap nor quick transformation. Each build takes 4,000 hours, with prices from £325,000 plus the cost of a suitable donor E-Type. And even for a less coveted V12, that means anything from £70k upwards - E Type UK actually has a couple that might be of interest. In total, then, an Unleashed will cost more even Jaguar's Reborn E-Types. So, what'll it be - picture perfect rebuild, or raffish restomod? Over to you...
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