HELM Jaguar E Type 300hp Restomod - Review

[Nickleback]

Another eType specialist with some fine work, only 20 to be produced but at what price for personalisation ?

[chrisfell]

A lot of money. Nice details, but a lot of money.

[christopher storey]

I wonder how much extra you have to pay to get the front bumpers straight ??

[malcolm]

I got bored before I got to the price - how much is it?

[tinworm]

450k

[Series1 Stu]

I too only managed about 5 minutes of the video but the caption at the start says £420000 + VAT. So that's £504000 to UK/EU residents!

Is it sufficiently different? Does anybody think the dashboard is an improvement?

Regards

[288gto]

I have to say, there are elements of it that I really like. I'm probably (read definitely ) in the minority on the forum that likes the concept of a "resto mod" . Anyone who has followed my restoration or over active, perhaps misguided posts in the "upgrades" section will know this.

I like the bonnet popping up on it's own and assume this is merely down to stronger springs? Does this put extra strain on the brackets and mountings?

The soft close doors , nice but a bit of a gimmick. There's nothing wrong with well adjusted, nicely closing original doors. I was expecting the rear hatch to be soft opening and closing, this would have been much more impressive and useful.

The attention to detail didn't extend as far as the door glass waist seals that have their fixing rivets on show, though the overall finish seems to be of a high standard.

Would it cost a lot of money to achieve? Probably .Is it worth £450k? I'm not sure.

We are all different, and what we choose to do to our cars reflects this. Would I do what I've done to my S2 to a very early car? Definitely not.

Simon

[PeterCrespin]

There’s nothing to stop you catalogue surfing for a high-pressure S2 strut and for an alloy bonnet it wouldn’t have to be super-high. Arguably, it’s the only safe config you could to dispense with tge safety catch, because it can’t be down and not secure, it’s either up or down (assuming the down position requires the latches to hold it).

The boot-boards split on the centreline introduce an ugly joint disguised by the rubbing strips on standard setup, plus you’d have to unpack completely to get the wheel out. But presumably for half a mill you could have whatever you want and roadside DIY wheel changing need not be on the agenda.

No air cleaners at all on a serious road car is a faux pas IMO, and a fire risk with Webers.

Pretty car though (wrote the guy with a silver FHC bought eight years ago for well under 1/20th of that price)...

[budmarston@aol.com]

Beautiful work -- a simply gorgeous rendering of a Series 1 E-type with mostly elegant upgrades.
BUT -- I cannot believe that HELM kept the original style three plastic reservoir bottles with hoses attached to the nipples. For such a beautiful upgrade, why retain this potential point of failure?!

[MarkRado]

I am sure there are a few Etypes of fellow forum members that do not fall short of or even exceed the quality; mods are a different story, but in all not worth half that money in my eyes.

[288gto]

There’s nothing to stop you catalogue surfing for a high-pressure S2 strut ......

I think it will work fine on a S1 cars with lift assistance on both sides but on an S2 all the force is on one side which if you fitted a higher rated strut there might be a tendency to push the bonnet across as well as up.
I notice on Uryk's Evolution car there is a strut on both sides. Unfortunately I noticed this too late as it is something I would definitely have done if only to even out the pushing forces.

Simon

[cactusman]

Dash board is not for me....yuk

[rswaffie]

I’d gladly pay £450k for those artisan-crafted bespoke fitted handbags in the back alone
It is what it is - a restomod that has had a lot of time and money spent on it. I’m sure they wouldn’t have built it without being confident that they could find a buyer for it.

[288gto]

I've just noticed there's no plenum on the bonnet for the heater intake. Is it drawing air in from the engine bay, or am I missing something?

[1954Etype]

You’re not missing it Simon, the car is along with door armrests...

[politeperson]

I like it because it will help ensure the longevity of the E type. I also really like proper craftsmen making a good living out of our heritage, so I wish them the best of luck with it.

It is attracting wealthy younger types, just like Singer and others are doing with the 911.

Look where values are going on those. If something is going up in value, it is because people want it. It is what the E-type needs to attract new fans, as I think the E type has huge potential to appeal to a younger clientele. After all, not only is it the prettiest thing out there, they made loads of them.

I am not to fussed about an "Armani" interior, however I dont mind those that do. It is interesting, and we are all different. Each to their own.

So yes, I am a fan of what they are doing. I would rather spend £450k on this than many other things that I see.

What Mr JWW says about bhp is relevant. Super cars are not much fun!! That is where the E type scores big time.

Speed Cameras are everywhere. I just dont see how you can enjoy 0-100 in 6 seconds. Well, not more than for 6 seconds anyway.

I have a 999cc Dacia Duster. It is fantastic. It has a little twin cam turbo engine and goes like the wind. The other day I drove it to West London and back to Lincolnshire in a time that I could nor have beaten in my 2020 911.

You just cannot go any quicker. 85mph is pushing it now.

With a E type, the journey is as important as the destination when you are lucky enough to own one.

[Joes66]

To be honest its just a nicely restored car to me
With the usual upgrades
And my bonnet pops up like that anyway
Is it worth half a million though?
Again may as well just get one of jaguar heritage cars
Joe

[malcolm]

I like the look of the car from the outside, dash looks horrible to me. Would I pay that money? Not a chance.

[Robbiee]

It’s beautifully done one has to admit but ...
Mine makes me just as happy for a lot less money
Aren’t we all lucky?
Robbie

[malcolm]

You sure that's not your car at the top of the thread Robbie? Looks just as good!