Jaguar Classic’s E-type Commemorative models are jewels in motion

Fifty years after the last Jaguar E-type left production, the automotive icon makes a spectacular return in a form like never before. Jaguar Classic has crafted just two Series I E-type Commemorative models, an exclusive duo of bespoke creations commissioned for a private collector in Southeast Asia.

More than just a celebration of the E-type’s legendary lineage, these cars are a stunning fusion of machine and bling, adorned inside and out with mother of pearl, solid silver, and 18-carat gold details – the first automobiles in history to be dressed in precious stones and metals on both exterior and interior surfaces.

Jaguar’s Classic division partnered with Deakin & Francis, England’s oldest jewellery house, to bring an entirely new level of craftsmanship to these creations. With an unbroken lineage of artisans dating back to 1786, Deakin & Francis was the ideal partner to apply jewellery artistry to one of the most beloved sports cars ever made. Together, they have given these Jaguar E-types a new life as collectible works of art on wheels.

These bespoke models pay homage to the final 50 Commemorative Editions released in 1974, embracing their lineage through a carefully curated design that integrates contemporary luxury with nods to the marque’s storied history. Each car required more than 2,000 hours to be realised.

These drophead coupes come in two alluring shades – Signet Green and Opal Black – reimagined from original 1974 colours. Beneath the vibrant exterior, Bridge of Weir tan leather seats and handwoven black and tan leather trim bring unparalleled elegance to the interior. It’s the first time Jaguar Classic has ever offered such a tactile finish, marrying vintage craftsmanship with modern flair.

The crowning details, however, come from Deakin & Francis. The renowned jeweller decorated the interior and exterior with hand-crafted silver and 18-carat gold, mother of pearl, and enamel accents, showcasing a level of opulence rarely seen in the automotive world.

Each car also features a front badge motif in guilloche mother of pearl, finished in silver and crowned with an 18-carat gold Jaguar Growler icon, a brand hallmark. The steering wheel’s horn push and the gear knob follow suit, embellished with the same luxurious materials for a unique experience.

The dashboard’s instrument panel is no less resplendent, with knurled silver switches and hallmarked silver bezels. Even the key cover receives the lavish treatment, finished in matching silver, mother of pearl, and 18-carat gold. This level of detail is rare in any setting, and it marks a fine meeting of British jewellery and automotive traditions.

As Jaguar’s chief commercial officer Lennard Hornick notes, “With the E-type Commemorative, our Classic team set out to improve on an already near-perfect design. The unique specification and our collaboration with Deakin & Francis have resulted in a machine as close to drivable precious metal as it is possible to conceive.”

Beneath the jewel-like exterior lies engineering that ensures the E-type Commemorative drives as well as it looks. Both models boast Jaguar’s famed 3.8-litre engine, now equipped with electronic fuel injection and a Jaguar Classic five-speed manual gearbox for a blend of vintage performance and contemporary convenience. Heated windscreens and Bluetooth radios add modern comforts without compromising the original E-type aesthetic, making these jewels on wheels fully functional yet timeless.

Henry Deakin, managing director of Deakin & Francis, describes the collaboration as a marriage of two artisanal worlds: “Techniques honed by Deakin & Francis, which have never been seen before in the automotive world, have been seamlessly integrated into these incredibly rare vehicles.”

As the only two models of their kind, the Jaguar Classic E-type Commemoratives are extraordinary testaments to British heritage, crafted by the skilled hands of Jaguar’s engineers and Birmingham’s skilled jewellery artisans. They may be rare, but their legacy – a dazzling synthesis of jewel and machine – shines as brightly as the era they celebrate.