Jaguar E-type defies convention and the Aston Martin Vulcan is set to live long and prosper

MANY car enthusiasts laugh when they hear about new attempts to improve one of the 20th century’s motoring icons – but that hasn’t stopped countless people from trying.

One of the most successful is Eagle, which has developed a thriving business spending the last 30 years refining the classic Jaguar E-Type.

The Eagle E-Type has often been described as ‘the finest hand-built car in the world’ and the reaction of the world’s press to the successive ‘special edition’ Jaguar E-Types developed in-house at Eagle has been rapturous.

Leading the way was the Eagle Speedster, which was developed from a client request and then feted around the world. It has been the subject of countless magazine features and covers, articles in national newspapers and also starred on Top Gear in 2011 where Jeremy Clarkson described it thus:

“I think this, by a long way, is the most beautiful car I have ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

The Eagle Low Drag GT – inspired by Malcolm Sayer’s exquisite Low Drag Coupe developed for Jaguar in 1961 – followed soon after. International press coverage and ecstatic reviews again followed, culminating with a feature on one of the last Top Gear programmes to feature the famous presenting trio.

New presenter Chris Evans has also been quick to laud the model, saying: “It doesn’t so much turn heads as threaten to snap them clean off the necks of their owners.”

Now these two exceptional E-Types have been joined by the third in the trilogy – the Eagle Spyder GT.

With the poise and performance of the Low Drag GT and the exquisite styling of the Speedster, the Spyder GT’ s raked windscreen and folding roof offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

An exotic all-aluminium E-Type lightweight roadster based around an original 1960s classic, every line and detail is honed to perfection and performance is greatly enhanced. Each of the very few produced will have an entirely bespoke specification dependent of the specific desires of each client.

Paul Brace, Design Director at Eagle, said: “Development of the Spyder GT began soon after the launch of the Speedster in 2011 and, like everything we produce, we wanted to ensure that we got as close to perfection as humanly possible.

“We’re renowned for being perfectionists and our clients are too – so we took the time to develop and deliver an E-Type that stands proud alongside the Speedster and the Low Drag GT.”

The first Eagle Spyder GT will be presented to commissioning customers later this summer.

Pricings have not been disclosed.

Aston Martin Vulcan owners aim to live long and prosper

THE first lucky owners of Aston Martin’s mighty new Vulcan were invited to travel to Abu Dhabi to receive world-class tuition from an elite team of racing drivers, led by Aston Martin Racing works’ driver Darren Turner.

The Aston Martin Vulcan is the product of the sports car manufacturer’s extensive motorsport experience.

The track-only supercar demonstrates Aston Martin’s flair for design and the select group of owners were able to experience what the Vulcan was ultimately designed for.

The customers received tuition in the V12 Vantage S road car and the Vantage GT4 race car, before heading out onto the Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 circuit in their own Aston Martin Vulcan, which is powered by a potent 7.0-litre V12 engine.

Passenger-side tuition was given on every lap and the customer’s skills were tested throughout the day and into the night so they could fully experience the car in different atmospheric conditions.

Aston Martin Director of Special Projects and Motorsport David King said: “Aston Martin Vulcan is a very special car and that is why we have developed a unique ownership programme. This includes specialist training so customers can drive it in the way it was intended.

“It has been great to see the first customer’s reactions after unleashing their very own (car) on the Grand Prix circuit.”

Just 24 Aston Martin Vulcans will be built in total and all 24 customers will receive world-class tuition so they are able to make the most of their new supercar.

Aston Martin Racing works’ driver and high performance development driver Darren Turner said: “The priority for all of us on the team was to produce a car that provides immense enjoyment for the customers. Judging by the reactions we have seen this week that goal has been achieved and surpassed.”