1974 JAGUAR XKE V-12 ROASTER
A ONE OF A KIND, UNIQUELY BUILT ROADSTER UNLEASHED
FOR YOU, THE ROAD AND RALLY DRIVER.
<u>CHECK OUT THE VIDEO</u>: https://youtu.be/aKNsWHF6z2U?si=MfDlARa9do1hDMMH
And article in Collectors World: https://collectorscarworld.com/jaguar-e-type-v12-nick-soprano/
"Soprano Special"
A car as legendary as the Jaguar E-Type hardly needs an introduction. It is, after all, one of the world?s most beautiful production cars, with an enviable competition pedigree courtesy of its C-Type and D-Type progenitors. And while the E-Type is celebrated by enthusiasts worldwide, that doesn?t necessarily mean there isn?t room for improvement.
Offered here is a stunning example of one enthusiast?s lifelong passion for driving applied to Jaguar?s iconic sports car. Starting with an excellent, 40,000-mile 1974 E-Type Series III Roadster and a head full of ideas, this striking car has been meticulously transformed by Nick Soprano and his team into this stunning interpretation of the ultimate? twelve-cylinder E-Type for the road.
The transformation began by stripping the car to bare metal and subtly but extensively reprofiling the front wheel arches, bonnet, and grille, all in metal. The original federally mandated open headlight design was reshaped to accommodate glass covers in the style of the Series 1, and with LED lamps, the resulting look is fresh, yet captures the purity and beauty of Malcolm Sayer?s original design.
To complement the reworked styling, the car wears more delicate blade-type chrome bumpers and is fitted with a competition-style perforated grille. The large original side marker lamp assemblies were shaved and replaced with small LED units inspired by the jewel-like Giuntini signal lights used on Italian sports cars of the 60s, and discreet Soprano Sport? emblems added to the front wings. The matching removable hardtop looks particularly smart with this car?s reworked styling and subtly lowered stance, while affording it excellent all-season usability.
The Soprano Special E-Type?s performance is enhanced to suit the striking good looks. Jaguar?s V12 is a renowned unit with enormous performance potential, proven with two overall victories at Le Mans. This car?s 5.3-liter V12 does away with the original, restrictive intake and exhaust in favor of a sextet of downdraft Weber carburetors and gorgeous custom stainless-steel tubular headers feeding a full stainless system. The engine is now free to sing, and sing it does! From the induction roar of the Webers to the bark of the tailpipes, the soundtrack alone is enough to ignite a fire in any enthusiast?s heart. With an estimated 300+ horsepower, with sharpened responses courtesy of the lightened flywheel and clutch assembly, excitement is assured.
Rolling stock consists of 6.5-inch-wide deep-dish wire wheels, custom built by MWS in the UK. They are affixed by early style twin-ear knock offs, another subtle but effective Series 1-inspired touch. Further mechanical updates include a 5-speed Tremec gearbox, limited slip rear differential, alloy radiator, electronic ignition, overhauled brakes with new rear discs and calipers, and a high-torque starter. Spax adjustable dampers are fitted all around to improve handling without compromising the Series 3?s renowned, silky character.
True to its GT character, the cockpit is restored with select enhancements and a period-correct feel. Factory seats are re-trimmed in beautiful Cinnamon leather, accented with Wilton wool carpets, and the wood instrument panel trim nods to Jaguar saloons and coupes. A classic-style modern radio, factory air conditioning, and power steering ensure you stay fresh after the big miles this car was built to cover.
Whether your flavor is organized rallies, club gatherings, or long weekend tours on your favorite back roads, the Soprano Special E-Type is a unique car that is the result of years of ideas, methodically updated to perform like no other E-Type available, while staying faithful to the formula that made Jaguar?s legend so beloved by enthusiasts worldwide.
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Stripped to bare metal, refinished in British Racing Green, complemented with new Cinnamon leather and carpeting.
- 6 two-BBL Weber down draft carburetors
- Stainless steel headers
- High capacity aluminum radiator
- High torque starter
- Lighted flywheel and clutch
- 5-speed Tremec gearbox and driveshaft
- Limited-slip differential
- 6.5 deep dish wire wheels
- Custom exhaust tips
- Fully adjustable shock absorbers -front and back
- Extensive metal work; re-fabrication of the metal bonnet to accept faired in headlights
- Re-shaped front fenders in metal enhancing the purity of the original E-type design
- New competition style grille
- Metal reworked to accommodate slim-down LED marker lights
- Wood trim steering wheel
- Chrome bumpers: front and rear
- New windshield
- Replacement of all electrical wiring under bonnet
- Two tops: hard and soft
- New rear brake rotors and calipers
- New updated high performance pointless electronic distributor and coils
