Jaguar to build 6 new Lightweight E-Types

Back in 1963, Jaguar had intended to build 18 units of the Lightweight E-Type. However, the company built only 12 units of the car and the remaining 6 registered chassis were left unused. Now the British luxury carmaker has announced that it will manufacture the remaining 6 cars. The first of these cars will make its debut later this year.

All the 6 Lightweight E-types will be hand-built in-house by the company and will match the exact specifications of the original cars from the 1960s including the 3.8-litre, straight-6 engine.

The Lightweight E-Type used an aluminium body, aluminium engine block. Interior trim and chrome accents on the exterior had been removed. This meant that the car weighed around 114 kg less than the standard E-Type.

The Lightweights were homologated for GT competition by being a standard E-Type fitted with a number of options. These options varied from car to car, but the main modifications included all-aluminium monocoque and aluminium body panels, aluminium hard top, aluminium block and wide-angle head and dry-sumped 3.8-litre XK engine with fuel injection.

Jaguar built the Lightweight E-Type in 1963. Out of the 12 units produced, 11 are believed to survive today.