The entire crowd attending the 1961 Geneva Motor Show seemed to have a similar opinion. The vehicle that had just been revealed transcended the auto industry. It was much more than a vehicle for transport. It was an work of art.
The debut of the Jaguar E-type has been a source of legend and has been the subject of stories of journalists who tripping over one another to experience the thrill for themselves and one car’s last-minute overnight trip to Coventry to Switzerland becoming a legend (Jaguar had only taken one car to Geneva. In recognition of the demand they ordered another model to drive all night. The car was driven in the enthralling 11 hours with an average speed of 68mph). The E-Type changed the way cars were designed, Enzo Ferrari reportedly referring to the roadster model as “the most gorgeous car you can find.”
The year of the anniversary celebration of the classic British sports car. thanks to specialist restoration and insurance companies such as Footman James and the London-based Classic Investments, new generations of car enthusiasts are discovering the pleasure of owning a classic car goes much beyond the possibility of financial reward. Indeed, the huge growth in recent years have made classic cars such as the E-type a viable bankable asset, but the process of renovating and having classic cars gives the kind of satisfaction you can’t find in investing in shares or stocks.
“It’s the act of giving a particular automobile a new chance” claims Agris Alksnis who is the founder of Classic Investments, who advises his clients to invest with their minds and hearts. “Not every vehicle is worthy of a second life , but those we restore are the best from a particular era which was marked by elegance, flawless design, and fantastic stories. You can resurrect these treasures out of the wreckage.”
Classic Investments renovates vintage cars to concours quality through its workshop located in London. The team within the company comprised of craftsmen, including experts in welding and bodywork traditional panel beaters, coach trimmers, paint specialists mechanical technicians, chemists , and electricians work on every bolt and nut and performs the entire restoration process and subtle modernization. Restoration work is done on site, which includes re-chroming, refurbishing and reupholstering seats, as well as interior trim.
Recently, Classic Investments renovated a Jaguar E-type from 1966, one of the only right-hand-drive Series 1 4.2 coupes ever made. The car was purchased brand new by an U.S. army sergeant serving in West Germany, it was destroyed in 1968, and later stored – which means that the 24,555 miles recorded on the odometer are astonishingly precise. Following Classic Investments’ work, it is one of the most meticulously completed E-Types ever built.
Visit Revival Autos for classic car restoration.
“This vehicle was the most important time-capsule design,” says Alksnis. “It was preserved to the point that it contained a variety of components and parts which usually get replaced, destroyed or simply not present after everyday driving. Since we are attentive to the smallest details to bring the car back to its original factory-concours quality It’s a great advantage to have a complete set of components. There are a lot of parts you’ll never buy again Once they’re gone, the items are gone.”
“The Jaguar E-type is a popular model that is always in demand, and it’s rightly so . It’s even on our list of the top 10 the most insured vehicles,” explains David Bond the Managing Director of Footman James. “It holds a special place in the hearts of many enthusiasts and we can tell through our client contacts the dedication of their owners.”
“The Market for E-types will remain solid and stable, however for certain types of investors, its real worth may have been neglected in the last few years. But, we’re witnessing new interest and important milestones like the 60th anniversary the famous debut have helped to remind and reinforce the iconic status of the E-type.”
The exterior is finished in contemporary opalescent gunmetal grey, and dark red Italian and leather-lined interiors, this restored car through Classic Investments manages that difficult job of being both modern and stylish and staying true to the original design that was the vision of William Heynes, then-Head of Design at Jaguar. “This is among only six designs that have been recognized as such by New York City Museum of Modern Art as an ongoing addition to their collections,” Agris explains Agris. “You shouldn’t be abrasive when working with these vehicles as even small errors can result in a project that is far from the line.”
Alongside repairs, Classic Investments also manufactures custom luggage that is designed to fit the vehicles they work on. Making use of traditional techniques and materials for creating trunks that are enclosed or mounted The company designs contemporary items or antique-inspired pieces which are identical to the original trunks they’re built.
“It’s an issue of offering an individual touchpoint that lets you appreciate and anticipate the car prior to you take it for a spin,” says Agris. “Pack the case for a weekend trip and you’re already planning the journey ahead. Our vehicles are meant to serve their purpose, not just kept in an air bubble. So where’s the pleasure in this? Yes, you’re taking a risk, but have you says that you couldn’t have fun simultaneously?”
Footman James provides a variety of old-fashioned car models, ranging from attractive motorbikes to multi-car collections worth millions of pounds and everything between. It is able to customize its services to meet the needs of clients who want to invest large sums in classic cars, such as the E-type. “We make sure that our services are in line with the needs of our clients, but we also have a Private Clients team specialises in creating insurance packages that are tailored to luxurious vehicles, collection of vehicles as well as homes that are worth a lot of money,” explains Bond.
“We currently have insurance coverage of PS1.3bn within the Private Clients team by itself, and every Private Client has an account manager who is able to handle any issues throughout the duration of the policy. We are passionate about classic cars and we are satisfied to make sure that the joy and pride of someone else is well-protected with us.”