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 'a bit special' is standard.
Conversations started between him and Paul Brace from Eagle, and the word Speedster' was mentioned.
And everything changed.
Paul got out his pencil and sketched a shape. Rick loved it, and that was the start of Eagle Speedster No.1.
Over the next months, in tandem with running the main Eagle business, Paul worked to design and perfect the details of this truly unique and extraordinary E-Type.
Between Henry Pearman, the owner of Eagle, and Rick it was decided that there would be no time or budget considerations and this would be a unique chance to create an extraordinary motor car.
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 5-speed gearbox and the optimised suspension.
This car was to be all about performance as well as looks. Every detail was painstakingly designed and customised, from the unique shape of the all-aluminium body, adapted from an original body by RS Panels, right through to the colour of the Edelman hide.
With even the windshield glass being custom made, this has been a true labour of love.
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'.
The lowered floor pan gives the Speedster an exquisite low profile
Lowered floor pan
The deeper sills & lowered floor pan effortlessly increase the more muscular appearance of the all-aluminium bodyshell and lowers the drivers seating position.
This enhances the feeling of 'connection' with the road and stiffens the body even further.
The carefully designed 'waterfall' console of the Jaguar Speedster
'Waterfall' console
The rear decking extends further centrally and drops into the cockpit creating a 'waterfall' console, mirroring the smooth external lines into the cockpit.
From outside and inside, this is a car that embodies 'flow'.
The sculpted cockpit makes the Speedster an exciting place to be
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 pure E-Type - right down the authentic aluminiun fascia. The body colour integrates and pulls together the flowing shape
Sweeping body colour
The body colour sheet metal extends across the door tops and around the scallops further defining the essence of the Speedster concept.
The handbrake is concealed under the Edelman hide cubby box
Concealed handbrake
To keep the smooth lines flowing inside the cockpit, the handbrake lever has been completely concealed - under the Edelman hide cubby lid.
The increased wheel track works superbly with the enhanced body shell
Wheel arches & track
The wheel track has been increased and the wheel arch width extended - in keeping with the 'muscular' lines of the adapted bodyshell.
A view of the Speedster driving across the forest roads in Sussex
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.
Customised wheels with uniquely designed wheel spinners
Wide alloy spoked rims
These completely custom-designed aluminium rimmed wheels have been expertly made to enhance the visual aesthetic, road holding and grip.
They are completed by the custom designed 3-eared wheel spinners.
The seamless and flush body of the Jaguar E-Type Speedster
Seamless and flush body
From the start we decided that the body and fittings should be seamless, including the specially designed glass and windscreen.
The purity of the lines and flowing bodyshell is testament to this. Custom detailing across the board makes the Speedster even more special
Custom detailing
Speedster 3-eared wheel spinners were specially made, along with a custom designed enamel horn push and flush fitting nose and tail badging.
Every detail, from hidden inertia-reel seatbelts right down to the boot and filler cap releases have been designed especially for the Speedster.
Eagle engineering underneath the bonnet - this is more than just a pretty shape
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.
