One of the six 'continuation' Jaguar Lightweight E-Types has been bought by premium car dealer Stratstone - and the company's petrolhead boss Trevor Finn tells us this one's NOT going to be gathering dust in a museum. Indeed, even at its central London reveal, grimy evidence of its inaugural run at Shelsley Walsh for video was evident beneath the surface...
Stratstone intends to use its Lightweight E-Type - car number 15 from the now-finally-reached total of 18 - in as many events as possible, both traditional automotive gatherings like the Festival of Speed but also those that reach beyond regular car enthusiasts. "We want to use technology and new media to push the car out there and create a celebrity out of it", says Finn.
Apparently it can be justified as a rational purchase too. "There's sound commercial logic behind it; we hope the car will become an ambassador for us and for Jaguar," he says. "It won't just be about driving it - the car will be the star. And the more places and events we can get it out to, the more people will discover it and learn the story behind it."
There's even the possibility of racing it: just like the period Lightweight E-Types, the continuation cars have full FIA homologation for historic motorsport.
Finn admits the approach is likely to be in stark contrast to the fate of the other Lightweight E-Types, but says that's partly what helped the case to acquire one. JLR Special Operations MD John Edwards admits there were many expressions of interest for the cars and "we were in the peculiar position of vetting customers".
And if you want to see it for yourself Finn says it will appear at Stratstone's own regular morning car meet, typically held the first Saturday of the month at the firm's Nottingham HQ.
As for the car's maiden runs at Shelsley Walsh, that was very much intentional. Stratstone co-founder Ernest Instone won the first Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb driving a Daimler in 1905 - making him the first winner of the oldest continuously-run motorsport event in the world. Sometimes it all comes together.
Jaguar Lightweight E-Type
Harniman Photographer
Vimeo