Description:

“Fat Cat”
1965 Jaguar E-type Semi-Lightweight Open Two-Seater
One of the last evolutions of a legendary sixties GT racer
Front-running race car with FIA HTP
Completely rebuilt and ready to race

Never designed to be a race car, the Jaguar E-type nevertheless has gone on to become one of the most evocative racing machines in the GT category of the early sixties. Taking on the might from Ferrari and Aston Martin as well as the British-American ‘hybrids’ from AC and TVR, the E-type with its elongated bonnet and sleek and curvy bodylines was almost too pretty to be a proper track tool, but at the same time it looked aerodynamic and ultra-fast, and was fitted with a powerful and reliable 3.8-litre engine, standard disc brakes and independent rear suspension. It was only logical that soon after its sensational 1961 Geneva Motor Show premiere the stylish Malcolm Sayer-penned sports car saw its first competition conversion, with none other than future World Champion Graham Hill handing the Tommy Sopwith-entered car a victorious debut at Oulton Park.

The iconic design went on to clock up thousands of racing miles and dozens of race wins at Silverstone, Goodwood and other British circuits, while also appearing at Le Mans, finishing fourth and fifth on its first attempt in 1962. This sparked Coventry’s ambition to create a lighter version in which a monocoque, body panels and engine parts forged from aluminium replaced the original steel ones. Built as a roadster but featuring a hardtop above a stripped interior, Jaguar’s run of 12 special E-type Lightweights was fully meant to challenge its GT rivals, including the 250 GTO that Ferrari devised as their answer to the E-type. Later developments included fuel injection and a five-speed ZF gearbox.

With its bulging wheel arches, the Semi-Lightweight Open Two-Seater was inspired by the works Lightweight programme and is among the last pre-66 evolutions of the E-type as a GT racer, now looking purposeful and planted rather than pretty, this competition E-type was as quick and agile as its presence continues to prove until this day.

In fact, historic racing has offered the E-type boundless opportunities to shine on the circuits like it did between 1962 and 1965, having proved to be a popular choice among owners with a penchant for a well-balanced, fun-to-drive and reliable car that’s strong enough to feature at glorious historic events such as the Goodwood Revival, the Le Mans Classic and the Spa Six Hours, and race in historic pre-66 GT series such as Peter Auto Sixties Endurance, Masters Gentlemen Drivers, the GT & Sports Car Cup, Equipe GTS and the SuperSixties.

The car on sale was restored/built by renowned specialist Gordon Russel at IDL and further tuned by Stretton, Valley Motorsport and WDK. It has raced at Le Mans Classic, the Spa 6 hours, and the Silverstone Classic. 

In 2022 The car has benefitted from a full rebuild and bare metal respray into Sherwood Green.

Drive Line

• New engine, dyno time only
• Full spec on request
• Sigma head by Peter Lander
• Arrow billet crank
• Arrow rods
• AP racing clutch
• Valley Motorsport Gearbox SCCR
• Plate type diff 3.73 Ratio

Body

• Correct Semi Lightweight by IDL
• Recently stripped, rebuilt and finished in Sherwood Green

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