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In 1961, Sir Williams Lyons released a 'cornerstone' product which would be the most exciting Jaguar since the XK120. First previewed at the Parc des Eaux Vives, and later launched at the Geneva Auto Show, the breathtaking E-Type was highly desired among the press. The car's styling, clearly influenced by Jaguar's motor sport products, combined with sporting performance and an affordable price to give the E-Type huge appeal. It became Jaguar's leading product, with almost 5000 examples being made each year.

Frua's Jaguar

Pietro Frua was one of Italy's leading auto designers, creating prototypes and production vehicles for companies such as Fiat, Maserati and Glas. When John Coombs, a Jaguar dealer and racehorse owner, approached Frua to make a unique car, the E-Type was an obvious choice.

Frua worked on giving a 1965 fixed-head coupe, chassis 1E 21041, his unmistakable lines. Most of his modifications were made to the front nose and rear, leaving the rest of the car as Malcolm Sayer originally designed it. The nose of 1E 21041 was shortened by ten inches and given a treatment similar to the Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider. Accommodating the new front end was a scoop replacing the bulge normally found on the hood. To cope with the additional frontal air flow, the wheel arches were opened to release the extra air.

Like the front, the rear of the car was also shortened substantially, resulting in a length that was twenty inches shorter than the original. Frua also increased visibility with a larger rear window.

In the end, the E-Type was unsatisfactory to John Coombs who wanted a more radical design. Frua tried to mend the situation, but other projects demanded the much needed time. Coombs, not happy with the results, had his own workers alter the design and later had Italsuisse of Switzerland, which worked with Frua, to create new front and rear bumpers.

After modifications, the car was shown at the 1966 Earls Court Motor Show. It was then sold to Roy MacCulloch and registered as KPH 4C which it still bears today. 1E 21041 has been offered for auction twice, in 2000 and 2003, but has failed to sell at an estimate price of 35.000 to 45.000 euros.

Sources and Further Reading

Cahill, Peter. 'Frua E-Type Resurfaces'. Classic Jaguar World, Vol 13. December 2001 Porter, Philip. Jaguar E-Type. The Definitive History. Haynes Publishing. 1989 Lichtenstein, Detlef. Pietro Frua und seine Autos. Dierkes, Stefan & Registro Pietro Frua. http://www.pietro-frua.de.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net , Images by Anthony Hazelaar