Most would agree that many great cars came from the 1960s. It was a time of style, performance, and competitive spirit. Although these days are long gone, the people who remember them and those who want to familiarize themselves with the vintage motoring experience, companies like Eagle are recreating the old formula with a touch of refinement.

Eagle is a small British car company that has been making some of the most exciting Jaguar E-Types for over 35 years now. The Eagle Low Drag GT is said to be the ultimate way of experiencing Jaguar’s vintage motorsports prowess. But just how much E-Type is there in it?

Drivetrain and Performance

The Eagle E-Type Low Drag GT improves upon the E-Type in every aspect. The engine is bigger and stronger than before. Instead of the 3.8-liter (Mk 1) or 4.2-liter (Mk 2), the inline-six now has a displacement of 4.7-liters. But it isn’t just a bored and stroked version of the original engine with new internals. Whilst the original E-type engine was cast iron, the unit we find in the Eagle is entirely made out of aluminum. In addition, it now has fuel-injection instead of carburetors and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

The 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint happens in around 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 175 mph (281 km/h). The car itself weighs just 2,288 pounds (1,038 kg), which is significantly lighter than the original’s 2,976-pound (1,350 kg) curb weight.

It’s not just straight-line speed the Eagle is good at. The Low Drag GT comes with adjustable Öhlins dampers, which could be set up according to the customer’s choice.

Jaguar E-Type Low Drag GT by Eagle specifications

Exterior

To say that the Eagle E-Type Low Drag GT design language is derived from the original Jaguar E-Type would be an understatement. The Low Drag is a near-identical recreation of the original Jaguar Low Drag Coupe, which Jaguar developed for competition purposes. It’s essentially a sleeker version of the roadster and coupe streetcars.

Jaguar built only one of the original Low Drag Coupe, but later, two more were built by privateers. All three cars were a bit different from each other. According to Eagle, their version of the E-Type Low Drag combines the best aspects of those three cars.

Enzo Ferrari himself said that the Jaguar E-Type is the most beautiful car he had ever seen. The Eagle Low Drag takes everything that makes the E-Type a sensational car and reinterprets it not in a modern way, but in the same vintage manner, with a modern touch. Think Morgan or Wiesmann, but more true to the 1960s way of doing things.

It has the same general design language and features the same sleek clamshell front end. Opening it reveals a very vintage-looking straight-six unit, finished with aluminum valve covers, complimented by a beautifully-crafted carbon-fiber exhaust manifold.

The wheels have the exact same design as the original but measure 16 inches rather than 15. Moreover, although they look like steel wheels, they are actually made of magnesium, which significantly reduces unsprung weight. Even the wheel spinners are touched for better aesthetics.

The body lines are even more tucked away than on the original and the rear retains the dual center exhaust pipes, which supply you with a glorious soundtrack. The body is also made entirely out of aluminum, hence the 2,288-pound (1,038 kg) figure. Everything on the car is bespoke, including the four window pieces.

Interior

Despite the Low Drag being produced in modern days, the interior is a correct throwback to the E-Type. Everything looks the same and yet it’s different. The wooden steering wheel is period-correct, although Eagle will put whatever you choose, as these cars are custom built. In addition, all of the switches have been redone in the original E-Type style. Overall, this is what an E-Type would be if it was built in our time instead of the 1960s. Just like with the exterior, it’s an old recipe, executed in the old way, but with a modern touch. A familiar interior, but better in every way.

A more refined E-Type

This might be blasphemy to some of the purists, but the Eagle is better than the E-Type in every measurable way. The engine is more powerful, more efficient thanks to being fuel injected, and has actual cooling. All aspects of the car are improved, using better materials. At the same time, they’ve managed to retain the presence of the original classic.

Price

The Eagle E-Type Low Drag GT has a sticker price of £840,000, which equates to around $1,130 000. Depending on how you look at it, it can be either very expensive or it could be a bargain if you are comparing it to other highly-exclusive vehicles.

The Original Jaguar E Type Low Drag Coupe

In order to determine how much of the original Low Drag Coupe the Eagle has, we must look to the original itself. Like the Eagle, the original was based on the normal Jaguar E-Type. Like the original, extensive use of aluminum was used for the entire body of the car. The original Low Drag Coupe engine was based on the 3.8-liter inline-six unit but was massaged in order to produce upwards of 300 horsepower.

The Verdict

The Eagle E-Type Low Drag GT, like the original, is a celebration of Jaguar’s motorsports prowess and undying presence in the hearts of classic motoring enthusiasts. The Eagle Low Drag GT takes the classic Jaguar formula for a lightweight track weapon based on a streetcar and refines it. This isn’t a replica or a resto-mod. This isn’t even a different car than the classic Jaguar Low Drag Coupe. This is the classic car - improved.