What If Jaguar Had Gone All-In? ECD Builds the E-Type They Never Did
By Team Dailyrevs June 12, 2025
Not a reinvention—an evolution: The E-Type was always a GT. ECD’s GTO refines it, rather than redefines it.
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Modern tech, tastefully hidden: Bluetooth, USB, and LEDs live quietly behind a heritage-rich cabin.
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More than a tribute: This is a reimagining that invites “what if?”—and then delivers a working answer.
A Thoughtful Evolution of a True GT
Jaguar’s E-Type was never short on praise—or purpose. From the moment it debuted in 1961, it was a grand tourer with undeniable style and legitimate speed. But what if the company had taken it even further? That’s the question ECD Automotive Design has answered with its E-Type GTO restomod: a one-off, hand-built reinterpretation of Jaguar’s most iconic model, now fused with modern performance, craftsmanship, and discreet technology.
This isn’t a reinvention. It’s a respectful evolution—imagining what the E-Type might have become if built without compromise, on today’s terms.
Under the Hood: A Familiar V12, Reawakened
ECD has opted for the Jaguar 5.3-liter V12, but it’s not a museum piece. The engine has been overhauled and modernized—fuel injection, performance heads, and a custom stainless-steel exhaust that turns up the volume without tipping into excess. Final output? A substantial over 300 hp, putting it squarely in grand touring territory, just as the Series III E-Type V12 was intended.
A custom rear subframe, coilover suspension, and six-piston front brakes make sure it drives like something built this century, not last.
2025 ECD Automotive Design Jaguar E-type Image Gallery
A Cabin That Balances Tradition and Subtle Modernity
Step inside, and it’s instantly familiar—but not frozen in time. The dash is wrapped in Spinneybeck leather, the gauges mimic vintage Smiths dials, and the seats maintain their classic bucket shape. But hidden within the charm is a set of quiet upgrades: Bluetooth audio, USB charging, heated seats, and LED lighting, all cleverly integrated.
This isn’t tech for tech’s sake. It’s there if you need it, invisible if you don’t—just how a respectful restomod should be.
The Bodywork: A Nod to What Could Have Been
Visually, the GTO leans into fantasy more than factory spec. The aluminum body is widened and subtly lowered, with rear buttresses and vented fenders recalling both the D-Type and the long-nose E-Types that only racers got to experience.
Finished in a bespoke heritage green, it’s a one-off that whispers of Le Mans but wears a tailored suit, not racing overalls.
Respecting the Past, Not Replacing It
Here’s what makes this build compelling: it doesn’t suggest the original E-Type lacked identity. On the contrary, it honors that identity by amplifying what was already there. The GTO doesn’t reinvent the E-Type as a GT—it was always one. Instead, it elevates it with craftsmanship and attention to detail that go far beyond what Jaguar offered at the time, or could afford to build at scale.
This restomod doesn’t overwrite history. It imagines an alternate future for it.
Only One—But Not the Last
ECD says this car was built for a single client, but they’re open to additional commissions. Each would be bespoke, each different. The cost? If you need to ask, you already know.
