Eagle Low Drag GT picks up where Jaguar E-Type left off

The one staple of any Jaguar E-Type article is a reference to Enzo Ferrari calling it “the most beautiful car ever made.” And we get it, that's high praise from a man who brought us some of the world's best-performing cars. A British company called Eagle specializes in the rolling sculptures, repairing and restoring using modern techniques.

The latest offering from Eagle is the Low Drag GT. The original Low Drag car was designed by Malcolm Sayer and was meant to be a streamlined version of the E-Type for racing. They called it the GT Prototype Coupe, later the Low Drag Coupe. By 1962, the FIA decided not to sanction the proposed Production Sports Car Manufacturers Championship, and the GT project stalled.

The Eagle Low Drag GTs, built from the original cars, come with Eagle's 4.7-liter all-aluminum I6 engines making 346 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. That power pushes a lightweight body that tips the scales at only 2,288 pounds.

Top speed is rated above 170 mph, and the 0-60 sprint takes less than five seconds.

The cockpit is more spacious than the original, according to Eagle, and is trimmed luxuriously. Extra insulation is added, as is air conditioning. Heated glass is installed in the front and rear, the trunk is enlarged and a long-range fuel cell is installed.

A five-speed manual transmission sends power rearward through a Power Lock differential. An Eagle Supersport suspension keeps things stuck to the pavement with Ohlins dampers. AP Racing brakes bring things to a halt.

Production will be extremely limited, according to Eagle, and each will be a bespoke commission, meaning you can pick what materials, paint colors, accents and power levels you like.

It won't be cheap. Eagle says the price will be “in excess of $970,000,” converted from British pounds.

Go to eaglegb.com for more information.

By Jake Lingeman