The Eagle Lightweight Speedster - Concept & Development
It started as a request from Dr Rick Velaj from Connecticut - "I want something a bit special". When you are a customer of Eagle E-Types, something special is standard.
Conversations started between Rick and Paul Brace from Eagle, and the word ‘Speedster' was mentioned. Paul got out his pencil and sketched ideas for its defining features. Rick loved them, and that was the start of Eagle Speedster No.1.
Over the next months, in tandem with day to day Eagle business, Paul worked to design and perfect the details of this truly unique and extraordinary E-Type. Faithful to the Jaguar E-Type of the 1960s with classic detail and finishing, it was fitted with the finest Eagle E-Type engineering including the Eagle 4.7 litre engine, the Eagle 5-speed gearbox and the optimised suspension.
Although initially built as a ‘one-off’, the Speedster was universally well-received and interest was such that it was too much of a shame to leave it unique. Numbers will always remain few however, and the Speedster will always be one of the most exclusive cars in the world.
Lowered & Raked Screen
The custom-built windscreen is lowered and raked back with shaped wind-down side glass and hidden ‘A’ posts. This enhances the sleekness of the overall shape and creates a driving cocoon
Waterfall Console
The rear decking extends further centrally and drops into the cockpti creating a 'waterfall' console, mirroring the smooth external lines into the cockpti. From outside and inside, this is a car that embodies 'flow'.
Sculpted Cockpit
From the first design sketches, we wanted this cockpit to be a fantastic place to be. It combines pure driving functionality with classic styling and luxury. It's authentic E-Type - right down the aluminium fascia.
Sweeping Body Colour
The body colour metal extends across the door tops and around the scallops further defining the essence of the Speedster concept.
Concealed Handbrake
To maintain the smooth lines flowing inside the cockpit, the handbrake lever has been concealed alongside the iPod connection under the cubby lid.
Narrowed Plate Aperture
To suit USA registration plates and shorter UK numbers, the number plate aperture has been narrowed - working in harmony with the overall style.
Wide Alloy Spoked Rims
These completely custom-designed aluminium rimmed wheels have been specified to enhance the visual aesthetic, and improve handling. They are completed by the custom designed 3-eared wheel spinners.
Custom Detailing
Custom designed enamel horn push and flush fitting nose and tail badging, hidden inertia-reel seatbelts, and completely flush fuel filler cap exemplify some of our attention to the finest detail.
Eagle Engineering
Underneath all the exterior beauty lies the heart of the beast - the Eagle 4.7 litre engine matched to our 5 speed gearbox and sports suspension. Tried, tested and well-proven Eagle Engineering including all of our reliability upgrades are present in this extraordinary E-Type.
If I were to have an E-type, for example, it would have to be the Eagle Speedster - I just love that car. It’s how I would have designed it; it taking the E-type Jaguar’s purity to a whole new level.
Ian Callum, Design Director Jaguar Cars