A CLASSIC Jaguar E-type looks like a totally different car after going under a five-month, painstaking renovation.
The makeover of the 1961 Roadster has quadrupled the value.
It comes following controversy over the car manufacturer’s new Type 00 model which was branded woke.
But the vintage Jaguar E-type motor has been dubbed the prettiest car in the world by Enzo Ferrari.
It had orange paintwork originally but due to corrosion and rust, it was stripped right back.
It also received a mechanical overhaul.
Mechanics spent over 3,500 hours – or 145 days – on it, as reported on Luxury Auto News.
The owner is a mystery Brit who shares his time in the UK and Italy.
The 150mph car was snapped up for about $62,000 and is now worth over $200,000.
But he is not looking to sell it.
It now boasts a sleek silver bodywork and red, leather interior.
The work was carried out by E-Type UK – the world-leading expert on the definitive classic sports car.
A spokesperson said: “The subject of the restoration and upgrade works, a 1961 left-hand drive model, was first delivered new to Puerto Rico.
“After many years overseas, the car returned to the UK, being bought by the current owner as the basis for creating his ultimate open-top E-type.
“He tasked E-Type UK – recognized marque experts and specialists in custom Jaguar builds – with further refining the car’s elegant 1960s bodywork to create something more purposeful, with elevated modern performance to match.
“The customer – who intends to use the car exclusively in warmer climates – instructed the team to remove the soft top entirely, to create a true E-type speedster.”
They added: “E-Type UK’s expert team have since lavished over 3,500 hours on the car, focusing on every detail down to the very last bolt.
“As with all the firm’s restoration projects, the process began with a full strip-down of the shell, and removing all components.
“The team then undertook a comprehensive assessment of the body panels to ensure structural integrity.
“Before carefully blasting them to remove half a century of material build-up.
“During the team’s analysis of the car, it was discovered that significant repairs to the shell were needed, with multiple panels badly corroded or rotted from years of exposure to the elements.
“E-Type UK seized this opportunity to further refine the bodywork and enhance that iconic 1960s design, with a de-seamed bonnet and tailgate, including further rounding of bodywork edges across the car.”
Five steps for restoring a car
Restoring a car can be a massive undertaking. Here’s a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:
- Plan
- This includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.
- Strip the vehicle
- This involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.
- Bodywork
- This means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.
- Engine restoration
- This involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.
- Rebuild
- After reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.
Source: WeatherTech
