Eagle Lightweight GTR: A One-Off Jaguar E-Type GT Icon
The Eagle Lightweight GTR stands as a road-legal grand tourer that crosses continents with remarkable speed, refinement and presence while channelling the spirit of Jaguar’s most celebrated racing E-Types. Eagle, based in Sussex, England, has spent over four decades perfecting, restoring, and reimagining the Jaguar E-Type. Enthusiasts worldwide recognise Eagle E-Types as the benchmark for authenticity, engineering excellence, and bespoke craftsmanship. Special editions such as the Eagle E-Type, Speedster, Spyder GT, Low Drag GT and Lightweight GT have gained international acclaim in print and on screen, and this latest Lightweight GTR commission pushes that legacy even further.
The Eagle Lightweight GTR evolves one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful race cars into an uncompromising yet usable driver’s car. Jaguar created the Lightweight E-Type as the intended racing successor to the D-Type, planning to build eighteen cars but actually building only twelve during the period. Working to a commissioning client’s vision to bring the Lightweight GTR even closer to that pure racing heritage, Eagle applies meticulous engineering and carefully chosen lightweight materials to reduce mass without sacrificing the brand’s renowned comfort, solidity and long-distance capability. The result keeps the focus on agility and driver connection while preserving the timeless character of the classic Jaguar E-Type.
Every exterior line of the Lightweight GTR communicates intent. Eagle reshapes and refines the original E-Type silhouette for a more purposeful, hunkered stance, with bespoke raked glass, a subtly lowered roofline and flawless surfacing that reflects the company’s obsession with detail. Artisans create precise panel gaps, integrate hidden weather seals and fit a flush-bonded rear screen to enhance both aesthetics and aerodynamics. They finish the car with distinctive touches such as painted badges beneath the lacquer, a flush-mounted aluminium fuel cap and auxiliary switches integrated cleanly into the bulkhead, so every visual element reinforces the car’s bespoke, race-inspired identity.
Under the bonnet, the Eagle Lightweight GTR uses an all-aluminium 4.7-litre straight-six with a wide-angle head, titanium connecting rods and triple Weber carburettors to deliver an exceptional power-to-weight ratio in excess of 430 bhp per tonne. Magnesium transmission casings reduce mass while maintaining strength, and an exhaust system constructed from Inconel and titanium sharpens throttle response and soundtrack. The titanium con-rods raise the rev ceiling by 500 rpm, allowing the driver to exploit the distinctive, linear power band through each gear with precision and confidence.
Eagle completely re-engineers the chassis and suspension to complement this performance. Revised independent suspension geometry is combined with remanufactured titanium hubs and adjustable Öhlins dampers that feature bespoke spring rates, dramatically reducing unsprung weight. Carbon-ceramic brake discs and pads work in conjunction with servo-assisted AP Racing callipers to deliver powerful, consistent braking and a reassuring pedal feel on both road and track. Together, these components create a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight GTR that feels sharp, communicative and composed while still offering the supple ride expected from a grand touring car.
Inside, Eagle continues the race-bred theme with a minimalist yet luxurious cockpit. Black Alcantara trims the cabin, and lightweight aluminium seats echo classic period racing designs while supporting the driver securely. Four-point harnesses and an integrated fire suppression system underline the GTR’s motorsport focus. A floating binnacle houses auxiliary switches crafted from platinum with mother-of-pearl inlays, alongside a discreet magnetic phone dock that respects the client’s wish for a cabin free from intrusive screens. Heated glass, effective air conditioning, and carefully tuned sound and heat insulation ensure that, despite its extreme weight-saving, the Eagle Lightweight GTR remains a genuinely comfortable long-distance GT.
With fluids, the Lightweight GTR records a kerb weight of just 975 kg, more than 30 per cent lighter than a standard E-Type Roadster. The commissioned specification initially targets 930 kilograms through the extensive use of aluminium, magnesium, titanium, Inconel, carbon, and lithium-based components. This obsessive focus on weight reduction, combined with the responsive 4.7-litre engine and advanced chassis tuning, delivers explosive acceleration, remarkable agility and a sense of connection that modern performance cars, often heavier and more digitised, struggle to match. Drivers experience a road-legal Jaguar E-Type GT that responds instantly and rewards skill, without dilution.
The commissioning client directs key decisions on styling, engineering, and bespoke details throughout the build, and this collaborative process defines the Eagle Lightweight GTR as a one-of-one creation. The client explains: “Today's performance cars are getting increasingly big and heavy, relying on advanced electronics to disguise the mass. I'm not sure those cars will age very well, so I commissioned Eagle to build me the antithesis: a car that is as light as possible without sacrificing comfort, devoid of screens or other electronics. With incredible performance, long-distance comfort and timeless beauty, I couldn't be happier with the result.” That vision aligns perfectly with Eagle’s philosophy and informs every element of the specification.
Paul Brace from Eagle reflects the company’s ethos and the spirit of partnership behind this unique Jaguar E-Type project. "We have been working with E-Types for over 40 years, and one thing has always been true – we couldn't do it without enthusiastic customers having supreme faith in us, our philosophy and our abilities. The owner of the Lightweight GTR presented carefully considered ideas and a considerable passion for the project. It has been an absolute joy to work with him and to help realise his vision in such a successful way. Not only has he achieved his automotive dream, but he has enabled us to push the envelope of what is possible. We are immensely proud of the result."
This Eagle Lightweight GTR therefore represents the pinnacle of Eagle’s approach to the Jaguar E-Type: a car that merges the original E-Type’s timeless beauty with state-of-the-art engineering, client-led bespoke detailing and a focused, analogue driving experience. As a one-of-a-kind road-legal GT with the heart, soul, and performance of a racer, it embodies a rare combination of handcrafted luxury, race-car minimalism, and genuine usability. From its featherweight construction and carbon-ceramic brakes to its Öhlins suspension, platinum switchgear and exquisitely trimmed black Alcantara interior, every element elevates the Eagle Lightweight GTR beyond restoration into a fully realised, modern Lightweight E-Type for discerning drivers who demand authenticity, individuality and enduring value.
