This Helm E-Type Will Soon be Road Tripping Rhode Island
A Series 1 Jaguar E-Type restored and enhanced by Helm in the United Kingdom, is on its way to the U.S. East Coast.
It’s the third car in Helm’s limited series of 20 restomods, with each a unique specification as determined by its buyer. In this case the American enthusiast opted for metallic emerald green paintwork applied to the mostly hand-beaten aluminum body using an electrophoretic technique for unparalleled uniformity and corrosion protection.
The rich Ochre interior has been crafted by Bill Amberg studio in aniline European calf hide and suede. None of the original plastics are to be seen, with even toggle switches artfully covered in leather. A matching set of luggage is provided to fill the space behind the seats.
Helm’s modifications extend to a blueprinted 300-hp 4.2-liter straight-six engine with a calibrated ECU, fuel injection and hand-polished stainless steel exhaust system. Cooling comes from a new high-efficiency radiator with uprated pumps, pipework and header tank. The gearbox is a Tremec five-speed manual and there’s an organic clutch kit fitted as well. Braking is via aircraft-grade aluminum calipers and vented discs all round, while the suspension is an adjustable Ohlins system with poly bushes front and rear. Speed sensitive electric power steering is also included.
A host of modern-day creature comforts have been added, from soft-close doors and a heated windscreen to a hidden seven-speaker audio system with Apple car play and a reversing camera. This is an E-Type designed to be daily-driven.
“The E-type is rightfully considered an icon in automotive design,” says Helm founder Chedeen Battick, ‘but I have always felt that it deserves a performance to match. The Rhode Island Commission is the continuation of our mission to take advantage of modern best practice in terms of build and engineering in order to create the ultimate E-type, fit for the expectations of today’s driver, without compromise.”
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A bug free Jag. That would really be nice.
Gorgeous interior!
I would not normally comment, but I was a little disappointed by a previous note about a bug-free Jag. While it may be a point, it is simply not fair to cast nefarious what is, in my opinion, the nicest-looking car of all time. I picked up a 1963 from the factory in Coventry in my youth and it shall always be my favorite auto memory…. until I crashed it one dark sleepy night half several years later and a half a world away. Well done to the folks at Helm and congrats to the new owners and I wish them the best of motoring.
Well I hate to be the outsider on this, but to me this is not an E-Type. No triple carbs. No spots car interior. No minimalist bucket seats as in my 3.8. It is a fine luxury car in an E Type shell. But to my eyes at least, not really an E Type.
Agreed.
This is a lovely recreation of an E-Type, It’s very well executed! I have a 63 FHC and they are lovely cars! Mine just an original car.
This “restomod” reminds me of the current trend in the classic wooden boat market, The wood is refinished to spectacular levels, interiors trimmed and finished at worldly levels, then re-powered with modern fuel injected high output engines! Beautiful art pieces, but not what the manufacture created.
It fits though, as most people with the means to purchase such things of beauty would not know how or want the hassle of the original.
I wonder how they made the fuel injection manifold look like triple Weber carburetors?
Yes. Someone from Hagerty or Helm please answer this.
There appears to be multiple outfits that make DCOE-style fuel injection conversions, but here is one example that would be tough to pick out in a crowded engine bay: http://www.jenvey.co.uk/throttle-bodies-and-components/
I found the answer, they apparently use Jenvey Heritage throttle bodies: https://www.jenvey.co.uk/heritage
I like it, an E-type for daily use. Didn’t screw up the looks, nice car. Remember there are builders out there that wouldn’t hesitate to “drop in an LS”, add a auto trans, coil overs, and 21” wheels…and “make some improvements on the styling…”