Words: Nathan Chadwick | Photos: Jaguar Classic
London Concours will witness the world debut of Jaguar Classic’s E-Type ZP Collection – a pair of restored E-types inspired by winning cars driven by Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori. Just seven pairs of E-types will be made available, and the first will be on display at London Concours between June 6-8, 2023.
Each pair consists of one Oulton Blue drophead coupé, inspired by the original ‘ECD 400’ driven by Graham Hill and with a contrasting red leather interior, while the other car is a Crystal Grey fixed-head coupé inspired by Roy Salvadori’s ‘BUY 1’, with a contrasting dark blue interior.
ECD 1 features a black hood and a range of details that pay homage to Graham Hill’s racing car. The roundels on the bonnet and door are finished in white, with matching front ‘lipstick’ round the inside of the front air intake. The motif bar across the grille and front overriders have been removed, in keeping with the original. The interior is finished in red Bridge of Weir leather and in-period Hardura trim, and there’s an engraving on the centre console from Jonny ‘King Nerd’ Dowell. It depicts the car’s silhouette, the Oulton Park track layout with a start/finish flag and Hill’s famous quote: “In a race my car becomes part of me, and I become part of it.”
The second vehicle honours the E-type driven to victory at Crystal Palace by Roy Salvadori in 1961, BUY 1. Inspired by the original car’s Pearl Grey paintwork, it features similar exterior detailing to ECD1. Inside, there’s dark navy Bridge of Weir leather with matching Hardura trim, and an engraving of Crystal Palace’s track outline, and the spelling out of Roy Salvadori’s nickname – ‘King of the Airfields’.
Every client will receive a matching Everoak helmet inspired by the original drivers’ helmets handmade by Bill Vero, who has been crafting them since the 1950s, in bags specially created by the in-house trimmers at Jaguar Classic. Every vehicle is subject to around 2000 hours of work, and comes with a tailor-made car cover with ZP logo and a bespoke jack with unique storage bag to be stored beneath the boot floor.
The ZP Collection cars are based on the specification of 3.8-litre Series 1 E-types produced between 1961-1964. The 265bhp 3.8-litre engine features an authentic 1961-style alloy radiator with electric cooling fan and electronic ignition for everyday usability, as well as a polished stainless-steel exhaust system. Not only does the car also feature the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and navigation, but there’s also a specially developed five-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on all ratios, helical-cut gears and a reinforced cast-aluminium casing. Just seven pairs of E-types will be made available. More details can be found at www.jaguar.com/classic.
