1961 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight (RS Panels continuation)
- Engine
- Race-prepared 4.2L inline-six, dry sump, twin 45 DCOE Weber carburettors
- Colour
- British Racing Green with black hardtop
A hand-built lightweight E-Type recreation constructed by RS Panels — the first of only eight such vehicles the company has produced — this car began life as a 1961 roadster before a two-year transformation starting in 1996 yielded a full lightweight specification, including an alloy body, race-prepared 4.2-litre dry-sump engine, close-ratio gearbox, and roll cage. Built originally as the personal car of RS Panels founder Bob Smith and intended for historic racing, it later passed through several American owners and accumulated only around 1,500 miles. It holds an FIA Historic Technical Passport issued in 2011.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £184,000 (≈ $230K)
- 1996 →Factory deliveryBob Smithpartial documentation
Founder of RS Panels, he commissioned and built this car as his personal vehicle, intending it for historic racing and as a showcase for his company's craftsmanship. The build began in 1996 and took approximately two years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLong Island, New York ownerpartial documentation
This owner drove the car on the Copperstate 1000 Rally in Arizona during their period of ownership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJulian Masterspartial documentation
Based in Santa Barbara, California; used the vehicle infrequently after acquiring it from Smith when racing plans were abandoned.
- Date unknownPrivate saleEast Hampton, New York collectorpartial documentation
Kept the vehicle at a collection in East Hampton, New York; appears to be the consignor based on the prose.
Competition
- —Copperstate 1000 Rally
The car participated in this Arizona-based road rally while in the ownership of the Long Island, New York owner.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1996RestorationRS Panels
A 1961 E-Type roadster was transformed over approximately two years into full lightweight specification, incorporating an alloy body designated RSP 003, race-prepared 4.2-litre dry-sump engine with Weber carburettors, close-ratio four-speed gearbox, Dunlop alloy wheels, and a full roll cage. Finished in British Racing Green with a black factory-correct hardtop and green leather bucket seats.
The conversion took around two years to complete and was built to mimic the original Jaguar lightweight E-Type specification.
- 2011Inspection
The car received an FIA Historic Technical Passport as part of preparation for potential historic racing competition.
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