When Sir William Lyons told Malcolm Sayer to do a super sexy leaping cat, he wasn’t referring to the E-Type Series I. Before the most revered Jag came on the British sportscar scene, there were the E1A and E2A concepts, the spiritual predecessors of the E-Type we all know and love. Heck, even Enzo Ferrari declared on its release in 1961 that it’s “the most beautiful car ever made." Spot on, Commendatore!
When describing the aesthetics of a Series 1 XK-E, all eyes are first and foremost focused on the hood, a gorgeously sculpted piece of metal resembling a gentleman’s you-know-what. Then there’s the allure of a fixed head coupe’s roofline and classically spot on proportions, as well as quirky details such as the side-hinged trunk door and the Dunlop wire wheels.
I’m not afraid to admit that I’m a big sucker for the E-Type, chiefly because my dad spurred me into all things with four wheels after he gave me a model scale D-Type when I was little. When Eagle started making highly restomodded X-KEs, the automotive world was hooked on how Sayer’s recipe was masterfully bettered by the Sussex-based entity.
Of course, the Eagle Speedster and Low Drag GT are to die for, but there’s something more beautiful about an original FHC E-Type that’s been restored and improved in a “money no object” manner.
The example we’re covering today is Eagle No. 28, an automotive masterpiece baptized Elvis by 55-year-old Martin Brundle, a chap born in Norfolk, England. Yup, the same chap that started Formula 1 racing in 1984 (the same year Senna entered the sport) and called it a day at the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix.
As any bespoke specification vehicle, this Eagle E-Type is very special: SuperSport-grade 300+ bhp 4.2-liter inline-six motor, 5-speed manual, aluminum hood, adjustable dampers, electric power steering, air con, leather and just 4,791 miles (7,710 km) on the clock.
So why does the former F1 racing driver and current Sky Sports F1 commentator want to part with this magnificent leaping cat? Apparently, the Brit visited Eagle HQ recently and saw the Low Drag GT Coupe in the showroom. Call it love at first sight, but Martin really wants that car. Consequently he's decided to offer for sale his beloved Elvis. Too bad the pricing is only available if you enquire about this E-Type...
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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