Seven restored pairs of the Jaguar E Type have been created in honour of the 1961 victories for the E Type’s earliest race wins.
The ZP Collection’s history spans all the way back to the 60’s. More specifically, to two E Type Jaguars, slightly modified after the car’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961. These cars were a part of project name ZP and made their race debut at Oulton Park Circuit, UK.
The winning Indigo Blue ‘ECD 400’ was driven by Graham Hill and the Pearl Grey ‘BUY 1’ example was driven by Roy Salvadori, placing third. Salvadori then went on to win at Crystal Palace in ‘BUY 1’ on 21 May.
Between 1961 and 1964, E-type achieved 24 podium finishes.
Bringing things back to today, our restored ZP Collection comprises seven distinct enhanced pairs, featuring an Oulton Blue drophead coupe inspired by the iconic ‘ECD 400’ and a Crystal Grey fixed-head coupe reminiscent of ‘BUY 1’.
Customised elements encompass commemorative badges, handcrafted Bridge of Weir leather interiors, and aluminium consoles engraved by the skilled artist Johnny “King Nerd” Dowell.
The drophead in Oulton Blue honours Graham Hill's victorious race car, featuring an engraved silhouette of the Oulton Park circuit and his quote, "In a race, my car becomes part of me, and I become part of it."
Within the fixed-head model in Crystal Grey, an engraved silhouette of the Crystal Palace track is paired with Roy Salvadori's moniker, "King of the Airfields."
Each vehicle showcases one half of a laurel wreath, symbolising their respective triumphs and making the pair a perfect harmony of what the Jaguar E Type achieved.
Derived from the specifications of 3.8-litre Series 1 E-types manufactured from 1961 to 1964, every ZP Collection model undergoes approximately 2,000 hours of restoration performed by seasoned experts in classic automobiles. The impeccable '60s E-type appearance is meticulously crafted, with an extra 40 hours dedicated solely to refining the nose.
Further embodying early E-type features, these models include a steering wheel made of beech wood, welded bonnet louvres, and external bonnet latches equipped with a lockable key.
The 265bhp engine incorporates a genuine 1961-style alloy radiator and a polished stainless steel exhaust system. Jaguar Classic has engineered a specially designed five-speed manual transmission, an electric cooling fan, and electric ignition to guarantee practicality for everyday use.
Despite each car's heritage essence, modern convenience is prioritised with features such as DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation for 21st-century convenience.
Enhancing the unique aesthetic of each car is an Everoak helmet inspired by the original designs of Hill and Salvadori. Crafted by Bill Vero, a seasoned helmet manufacturer in the sport since the 1950s, these exclusive racing pieces add a touch of rarity to the collection.
The ZP Collection E Type Jaguars come as a pair, with 7 coupes and 7 roadsters being married together as a part of this momentous restoration paying homage to the history of the vehicle and its triumphs.
Despite such limited numbers being available, one of these vehicles will be visiting Rockar Jaguar at Canary Wharf for a limited time only, beginning on the 13th of December.
To witness the unveiling and explore the possibility of owning this exceptional pair for yourself, RSVP below for December 13th and visit our store. Our dedicated team will be delighted to assist and guide you through the unique features of these extraordinary vehicles.