Jaguar isn’t in the happiest or healthiest place in its history. Its aging lineup is withering away, and its next model has polarizing style and is sure to be a highly niche machine. So, what’s a wealthy Jaguar enthusiast to do? Why not take a classic Jaguar and turn it into something seriously special? That’s the proposal brought to the table by Italian restoration and coachbuilding specialist Retro Coachbuilders, and the company is happy to do basically whatever you want.
You Have To Have A V12
Retro Coachbuilders Jaguar E-Type V12 Speedster from the front three-quarter angleRetro Coachbuilders
Retro Coachbuilders’ E-Type Speedster doesn’t have many constraints. The main one is that it only comes with a V12 and a manual, and we can’t imagine too many folks will have a problem with that. You do have a choice of V12s, though. Buyers can opt for a generally stock variant like an early 5.3-liter example or a later 6.0-liter one. A high-output, higher-displacement 7.0-liter engine is also on offer, though Retro Coachbuilders didn’t give any specifications for it. As for the manual transmission, the company also offers it with 4, 5, and 6 gears, plus the option of a gated shifter.
The other main constraint seems to be the basic body. Retro Coachbuilders says its speedster is a blend of the E-Type and its predecessor, the D-type. The latter is mainly represented by the cutdown speedster-style windshield and the large cowls with integrated headrests. From there, customers have nearly infinite choices. Paint and interior colors are all wide open. The body can be further customized with lightweight aluminum panels, no bumperettes, and even competition-style parts such as a hood scoop and extra vents.
Wide shot of the Retro Coachbuilders Jaguar E-Type V12 Speedster dashboardRetro Coachbuilders
The example Retro chose to show is arguably pretty mild with the basic body and a tan leather interior. We do particularly like the engine-turned dash trim. We’re sure that if you didn’t, though, Retro would be happy to create something else. The company also emphasizes that not a single one of these Jaguars will end up being identical as a result of the many options.
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You Have To Have A Big Bank Account
Retro Coachbuilders Jaguar E-Type V12 Speedster from the rear three-quarter angleRetro Coachbuilders
This might be the best “new” Jaguar you can buy, but it might also be one of the most expensive. The base price for one is €498,000, or $570,907 at the time of publishing. That’s far beyond the price of any current Jaguar, and probably even that of the upcoming Type 01 flagship electric sedan. However, you’ll be getting something highly unique, and an open-top, manual V12 sports car experience isn’t a common one nowadays.
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CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
The market for high-end restored and modified classics has been booming over the last decade, led by companies such as Singer with Porsches and Icon with off-road vehicles. While Retro Coachbuilders seems to have been doing a variety of specialty restoration projects and even one-off vehicles, the fact that it can add another restomod product shows that this market isn’t slowing down at all. It also seems to indicate that wealthy car enthusiasts are seeking vehicles that are both unique and engaging, which is something makers of luxury and sports cars ought to take note of.
