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E.C.D. Feels Defenders Are Not Enough, Reimagines E-Types With GM or Tesla Oomph

Once labeled as East Coast Defenders because it was a well-known aftermarket outlet that specializes in restoring, enhancing, and personalizing older Land Rovers, today’s E.C.D. Automotive Design is a little bit more than that.
E.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrains 7 photos
Photo: E.C.D. Automotive Design
E.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrainsE.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrainsE.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrainsE.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrainsE.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrainsE.C.D. Automotive Design Jaguar E-Type with GM or Tesla powertrains
With a strategy toward building more varied projects, the company changed its name to E.C.D. and also started rethinking Range Rovers, Land Rover Series IIs, and even Tesla-powered classic Range Rovers or Defenders. Now, with a swift move towards an equally-beloved classic British sports car, they are stepping out of their comfort zone and right into the Jaguar E-Type lion’s den. Frankly, everyone – including Jaguar Classic – is looking to offer jaw-droppingly gorgeous E-Type restomods, so they are on treacherous ground.

Alas, the Kissimmee, Florida-based luxury auto builder – which self-entitles as “the world’s largest Land Rover restoration company,” thinks it has what it takes to break into restored classic legends with their E.C.D. Jaguar E-Type. It promises that both “classic car fanatics and Jaguar Land Rover enthusiasts alike can enjoy the legendary sports car, restored to the highest quality with every detail – from engine type to upholstery color and everything in between – (as well as) customized just for them.”

The first unit is already in production and will be finished sometime early next year, as the company recently upgraded to a 100,000-square-foot facility (that’s 9,290 square meters for anyone not speaking Imperial units) with two separate production lines and the ability to build up to 100 custom vehicles per year. Plus, they also have a UK-based logistics facility, so any Jaguar enthusiasts who do not find a suitable candidate in the United States can always defer to E-Type’s place of birth for the client’s perfect build requirements, with both coupe and Convertible options available for intense personalization.

By the way, there are no pricing details available just yet (it is not going to be cheap, one can rest assured). But we do know a thing or two about the beating heart of this all-new project. Rather, that would be plural, since E.C.D. offers two major powertrain choices: their line of GM-sourced V8 engines (including a 450-hp LT1 option) or a sustainable all-electric 450-hp Tesla electric drivetrain.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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