Jaguar E-Type Restoration is Simply Stunning

Hypnotic video takes us from start finish on the 3-year transformation of a basket case into the embodiment of E-Type perfection.

After the British invasion of the 1960s left America, the Jaguar E-Type (XK-E in America) didn’t. In 1971 though, Jaguar fell under control of the British-Leyland corporation in the UK and they promptly killed of the coupe version. It was the beginning of a dark period in UK automotive history and 3 years later Jaguar ended the E-Type for good. In it’s stead came the magnificent, but very different XJS. It wasn’t all bad though, and, despite emissions laws hurting the power output, Jaguar went ahead with the 5.3-liter V12 for as the Series III engine.

Although it’s not the most desirable of the three generations of E-Type for collectors, Series IIIs are the most luxurious of the E-Type roadsters. The longer wheelbase and flared arches for wider wheels and tires also make it the most aggressive looking, and it’s styling cues are very much apparent in the new F-Type.

The car being restored in this video from the DIY Garage Youtube channel is a 1974 V12. It was restored over 3 years by Gassman Automotive in Waynesboro, Virginia, for someone with a sentimental attachment to the remarkably neglected 44-year old chassis.

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The engine and transmission got a full restoration along with the chassis and bodywork. It looks like a no-expense-spared job that went down to the nuts and bolts, and the result is spectacular. The trim, interior, and soft-top were all either restored or replaced as well to bring up to showroom condition. Thankfully, they also converted the eyesore American specification bumpers that were required in the 1970s to the European spec counterparts.

The word “thorough” doesn’t do this E-Type restoration justice. From the video and pictures, we can see just how fastidious Gassman Automotive are about their work. They’ve done an amazing job saving this piece of history from the brink to be enjoyed for decades to come.

Photos: Gassman Automotive

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Ian Wright

Ian Wright has been a professional writer for two years and is a regular contributor to Corvette Forum, Jaguar Forum, and 6SpeedOnline, among other auto sites.

His obsession with cars started young and has left him stranded miles off-road in Land Rovers, being lost far from home in hot hatches, going sideways in rallycross cars, being propelled forward in supercars and, more sensibly, standing in fields staring at classic cars. His first job was as a mechanic and then trained as a driving instructor before going into media production.

The automotive itch never left though, and he realized writing about cars is his true calling. However, that doesn’t stop him from also hosting the Both Hand Drive podcast.

Ian can be reached at bothhanddrive@gmail.com