E-type Lightweight Low Drag Coupe
A large number of E-Type competition specials were constructed by privateers, but it took two years before Jaguar started to explore the possibilities of a works developed racing E-Type. Commonly referred to as 'Lightweight E-Types', the works racers were considerably lighter compared to the road cars and featured a very powerful fuel injected version of the six cylinder engine. Much weight was saved by using an aluminum alloy for the monocoque chassis. Eventually only 12 examples in various guises were constructed of the works E-Type racer, which remains as one of the most valuable Jaguar ever built.
The first Lightweight E-Types were roadsters fitted with a hardtop, which wasn't the most aerodynamic. For the 1964 Le Mans race Jaguar engineer Malcolm Sawyer developed a new coupe body designed by Dr. Samir Klat, specifically designed for the long straights. These 'Low Drag Coupes' featured a completely new rear end, and also a slightly revised nose. After being raced as a roadster in 1963, the featured example received a low drag body in 1964. The career highlight of this Lightweight was the victory in the 1964 Brands Hatch race, which was one of the rare occasions an E-Type successfully challenged Ferrari's supremacy.
