We’ve told you about Jaguar’s race-ready F-Type Project 7 before, but now thanks to Justin Bell we are getting a glimpse of what the car is really all about. Jaguar->ke39 built the Project 7 to celebrate its racing heritage that dates back to the 1950s when the D-Type won Le Mans three times. After the success of the D-Type, Jaguar created the E-Type and brought beauty to the scene in the 1960s. Between the two cars, Jaguar's catapult into the history books was solidified.

Unfortunately the world had to wait some 50 years before Jaguar produced a vehicle that matched the D-Type and E-Type’s->ke1246 reputation and beauty. The new-for-2013 F-Type has shaken the brand’s dusty image and brought back the iconic status of its vehicles. The new F-Type is a formidable car on the open road and track, making everyone take notice.

Jaguar was kind enough to give Justin Bell and the MotorTrend team the keys to this early Project 7 example just before the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance->ke2839. Bell stretches the Jaguar’s legs at the Mazda Laguna Seca raceway and along the California coastline, though at a very leisurely pace.

The Project 7 represents an awe-inspiring iteration of the current F-Type that harks back to the glory days of Jaguar racing. Its sharp paint scheme and is matched by the added carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, and large rear wing. Even more so is the shapely cowl just aft of the driver’s head. Under the Project 7’s hood lies the same supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, but its output has been increased to 567 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic does the shifting.

Based on a car that is the successor to the legendary E-Type, and built as an homage to the incredible D-Type, Jaguar’s Project 7 is truly a thing of beauty.

.