You may know ECD Automotive Design for restoration-modification projects involving Land Rovers, specifically the classic Defender. The American company has gained notoriety by offering the option to give these British off-roaders a heart transplant using a Tesla powertrain.
This time, ECD announced a new project that doesn’t involve Land Rover but is still in the family). The Florida-based company has given us a preview of a restored and modified Jaguar E-Type unit. And like the Defender, ECD is also offering a Tesla powertrain update for the E-Type, bringing modern technology into a beautifully designed classic coupe from the ’60s.
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The Tesla powertrain offered by ECD comes with 450 horsepower (336 kilowatts) which is good for a 200-mile trip in the city (140 miles on the highway). Charging time is eight hours, according to ECD.
Built to customer specifications, ECD offers a wide range of paint options for your Jaguar E-Type restoration order, from historic to modern colors – the latter of which comes from the Jaguar 2023 range. Both are available in roadster and coupe.
Likewise with the interior which can be obtained with many choices. Nappa leather comes as standard but you have the freedom to upgrade to Spinneybeck leather which is distressed, hand-tipped, or has a leather weave pattern.
If the battery-operated Jaguar E-Type doesn’t tickle your fancy, you opt for the internal combustion option offered by ECD. There’s a 450-hp LT1 V8 engine sourced from GM with an 8-speed transmission sourced from a Chevy Corvette, or you can go for an inline-six or a V12 that requires higher maintenance.
ECD priced the E-Type restoration/modification project from $299,995, which of course varies depending on the options customers will choose along the way. If you’re interested, you might want to hurry as only 10-12 units will be built per year, and nine are already on order as of this writing.
The first restored Jaguar E-Type units will be completed in Spring 2023 and will have an electric Tesla drivetrain.
