As promised, Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) unveiled the first Lightweight E-Type prototype, hand-built by its craftsmen in a new facility at Browns Lane.

The Lightweight E-Type is the first recreation to come from Jaguar Heritage, with just six customer Lightweight E-Types to be built. Each will be assigned one of the remaining chassis numbers originally allocated in 1963 to the intended 18-car “Special GT E-Type” project, of which just 12 were built.

Assembled to exacting standards, the Lightweight E-Type has an aluminum bodyshell with doors, trunklid, hardtop and bonnet also made from aluminum. Thanks to the extensive use of aluminum, some 250 lbs (114 kg) were saved compared with the standard car. Under the long bonnet, the six-cylinder XK engine mirrors the original 3,868cc power units, with an aluminum block, “wide angle” aluminum cylinder head and dry sump lubrication. Both carburettor and fuel injection versions of the engine produce 340hp at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Power is transferred to the road via a lightweight, low inertia flywheel, a single-plate clutch and a Jaguar close-ratio, manual four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox, as used by the Lightweight E-type in period.

All six cars will be sold as period competition vehicles and will be suitable for FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes – hence the standard roll-over cage. The body includes mounting points for a detachable front extension that is available as an extra.

The prototype Lightweight E-Type, dubbed “Car Zero”, will be showcased at the opening reception to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 14. It is identical to the upcoming six customer cars, but will remain in Jaguar’s custody.

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