Jaguar Classic revives the legendary E-Type with the Project ZP limited edition

The 1960s were just beginning when Jaguar presented its new E-Type at the Geneva Motor Show of the time. The car, as was revealed, enjoyed great success and admiration, later becoming a highly coveted automotive icon, as you already know. What you may not know is that Jaguar also had the firm intention of putting the E-Type on the track to compete.

Jaguar planned to build seven competition E-Types, with some changes compared to the road model, in a project they named Project ZP. At the time, Claude Baily was Jaguar’s chief designer and, just one day after its presentation in Geneva, he announced the specifications the E-Type Project ZP cars would receive for competition use, which included changes to the block, the cylinder head and a gearbox with shorter ratios.

Only a month later Jaguar took the E-Type Project ZP to the track, specifically on 15 April 1961, when two cars entered in the Oulton Park Trophy for GT vehicles took first and third place. The winning car, called “ECD400“, was driven by the well-known Graham Hill, while third on the podium was the Jaguar “BUY 1“, driven by Roy Salvadori, who went on to win at Crystal Palace on 21 May 1961. From there began a story of success that lasted until 1964, with a total of 24 podium finishes for the English sports car.

Now, together with Jaguar Classic, the brand pays tribute to both winning cars with a limited edition in which the E-Type Drophead (convertible) and the E-Type Fixed Head (coupé) will be the stars, creating just 7 units of each model, all of which the brand has already allocated to their respective customers. In addition, the brand has announced that at the end of the year it will launch a limited edition based on the F-Type by SV Bespoke, inspired by this E-Type Project ZP collection, whose first 14 units have already been reserved for E-Type Project ZP owners.

Jaguar E-Type “ECD400”

The Jaguar E-Type Drophead commemorates Graham Hill’s ECD400, painted in Oulton Blue, a colour inspired by the original car’s and contrasting with the black bonnet as well as other details. These other details, broadly speaking, are the circles intended for the driver’s number on the doors and bonnet or, also, the chrome surround for the front grille, which now carries the decorative bar and front uprights as on the competition model.

Back then, the competition car paid little attention to detail, but of course on these units it has to be done, which is why chrome bumpers have been fitted, the wheels display the Jaguar Heritage logo, the welded bonnet vents have been kept, as has the beech-wood steering wheel, and the external bonnet latches are joined by a leather retaining strap bearing Project ZP logos. That logo also appears on the fuel cap, the vehicle cover and the roof cover.

For the interior, Jaguar Classic has opted for red Bridge of Weir leather and period-correct hardura felt, plus a gold Growler horn. The centre console also features anodised aluminium trim engraved by master Jonny “King Nerd” Dowell, including the car’s silhouette, a half laurel wreath, the outline of the Oulton Park circuit and a famous quote from Graham Hill.

Jaguar E-Type “BUY1”

The second car is based on the E-Type Fixed Head, finished in Crystal Grey, inspired by the original Pearl Grey. The remaining exterior details are exactly the same as the previous model, the only difference being that the circles intended for the numbers stand out less against the bodywork.

Inside, Jaguar Classic has used for this version Bridge of Weir leather in Dark Navy with hardura felt and a beech-wood steering wheel, all in contrast with the aluminium centre console, which has also been engraved, although on this occasion it features the outline of the Crystal Palace circuit together with a half laurel wreath and the inscription “King of the Airfields”, the nickname Roy Salvadori received.

In addition, with each car, the brand will give away period helmets similar to those of both drivers, made by craftsman Bill Vero of Everoak, delivered in a leather bag along with another leather bag holding the vehicle documentation. But that’s not all: each owner will receive a bespoke cover with the Project ZP logo and a custom jack with a storage bag exclusive to the car, stored beneath the boot floor.

Powertrain

Both models are based on the specification of the E-Type Series 1 3.8, built between 1961 and 1964, which featured a 3,800 cc engine producing 265 CV, to which has been added an authentic alloy radiator in the style of 1961 with an electric cooling fan and electronic starting, along with a polished steel exhaust line and a specially designed five-speed manual gearbox that offers quieter, smoother driving.

Finally, each car has unique upgrades from Jaguar Classic Works, including the Jaguar Classic infotainment system with digital terrestrial radio, Bluetooth and navigation.