Stunning Jaguar E-Type Restomods Have Electric, V8, And V12 Powertrains

ECD Auto Design has unveiled a trio of new Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 3 restomods, combining modern mechanicals and equipment with the timeless styling of the most beautiful car in the world. ECD is based in Kissimmee, Florida, and its restomods of classic Land Rovers are well known. The three much-sleeker Jags seen here are the Project Narragansett Commission, Project Palm Beach Commission, and Project Dallas Commission. We were lucky enough to drive Project Dallas in August and came away impressed with how its Chevy V8 melded with the essence of the original E-Type. The names suggest where the clients of each car are based, and this trio showcases the depth of customization available at ECD. We expect much the same from these new builds, so what makes each one unique?

Finished in Cotswold Blue, this particular commission will head to a Rhode Island beach town. ECD says the car is ideal for relaxing coastal cruises with its electric powertrain, direct-drive transmission, and 150-mile range. ECD has been electrifying classics from Land Rover for some time now. The exterior features 16-inch premium wire wheels and Pirelli Cinturato tires, while chrome bumpers and a luggage rack are equipped. Inside, there are Spinneybeck Caramel leather seats and a wrapped dashboard in the same color. The heritage wooden steering wheel looks great, and even though the car has been modernized, the gauges still have a classic look. A modern infotainment system with Bluetooth, dual USB ports, and a JL sound system with a Kenwood Slimline subwoofer is fitted.

As lovely as Project Narragansett is, Project Palm Beach is the one we'd want to drive first, thanks to its original Jaguar V12 engine - upgraded with fuel injection - producing over 400 horsepower. Even better, it has a five-speed manual gearbox, high-performance brakes, and an upgraded sport suspension.

This one also has 16-inch wire wheels but is finished in Silver Grey Metallic paint. Inside, this customer went for a brushed metal backing for the many gauges in the center of the dash. That's positioned above a very tall gear shift lever, and it's all surrounded by gorgeous Spinneybeck Amalfi leather. Although it has Bluetooth and Kappa speakers, we love that there is no huge touchscreen to detract from the lavishly attired yet simple layout. Instead, there is a delightful row of tactile toggle switches for things like lights and wipers.

We got to experience the 6.2-liter LT1 engine in exactly this car. Tuned to deliver 450 hp, the engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. We found the power delivery excellent, and downshifts were quick. The brake pedal required a firm press as it wasn't electrically assisted, but the steering was pleasantly responsive. The old-school driving position takes some getting used to, though.

Project Dallas is finished in Sherwood Green and has 15-inch Borrani wheels wrapped in Michelin Cross Climate tires. The seats are heated and ventilated and finished in Spinneybeck Sabrina leather. This one even comes with a modern push-button start ignition and blind-spot assistance. As with the previous two commissions, it still looks and feels like an original E-Type from behind the wheel.

"Even though they all have the same base vehicle, each client's personality shines through in how they chose to outfit their E-Type," said ECD CEO and co-founder Scott Wallace. "At ECD, we pride ourselves on the customer journey and customization process - these three sports cars showcase a small fraction of what we do every day at the Rover Dome."

As we mentioned back in August, ECD's E-Type commissions begin at around $300,000. You could drive off in a new Jaguar F-Type R Convertible for a third of the price, but it probably won't turn as many heads as the refreshed E-Type. Then again, compared with the skyrocketing values of original E-Types these days, ECD's restomod is far more attainable. However, this number can fluctuate dramatically depending on the customer's requests. ECD only produces around 12 cars per year, demonstrating what an intricate process it is to create one of these restomods.