Enzo Ferrari once called the Jaguar E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made.” That’s the kind of legacy that makes tinkering with its silhouette seem like automotive sacrilege. But when the man doing the tinkering is Ian Callum—the design maestro responsible for the Aston Martin DB7, DB9, and the Jaguar F-Type—you make an exception. Callum’s design studio has just revealed renderings of their take on the iconic E-Type, and it’s nothing short of spectacular.
The Master’s Touch
If anyone has earned the right to reinterpret Jaguar’s most hallowed design, it’s Ian Callum. After two decades as Jaguar’s design chief, where he helped define the brand’s modern aesthetic, Callum now runs his eponymous design consultancy. This E-Type concept is part of their “Portfolio” series – projects that showcase the studio’s capabilities without necessarily being slated for production.
That said, the social media posts announcing the project suggest that for the right client with the right budget, this could absolutely move from pixel to pavement. If the response is anything to go by, they might need to open a waiting list.
Modernizing Perfection
The genius of Callum’s approach lies in what he didn’t change. The E-Type’s flowing lines, graceful proportions, and unmistakable profile remain intact. But look closer, and you’ll notice the thoughtful edits: all chrome trim has been deleted, the bumpers are gone for a cleaner look, and the door handles now sit flush with the bodywork. The headlights maintain their iconic shape but now feature modern LED technology, while the taillights have been repositioned slightly lower on the body.
The most striking visual change might be the wheels, which are large aero-disc designs with a three-pointed center motif that cleverly references the knock-off hubs on the wire wheels of the original. And the lowered ride and widened stance are a nice touch here.
Digital-Analog Interior Fusion
Shifting our attention to the interior, Callum has done a stellar job maintaining that retro charm while still bringing this restomod into the current century. The wooden steering wheel and analog dials remain, honoring the car’s pedigree. But nestled in the center of the dashboard is a transparent digital display housing modern tech functionality while maintaining the spirit of the original toggle switches.
Most importantly, there’s a proper manual shifter in the center console, and twin exhaust pipes out back suggest this isn’t an all-electric conversion. Callum seems to understand that part of the E-Type’s appeal was always the visceral experience of driving it, not just looking at it.
Not Just Another Restomod
The E-Type restomod space is already crowded. Sussex-based Eagle has been creating jaw-dropping E-Type interpretations for years, and even Jaguar themselves have gotten into the game with continuation models and electric conversions through their Heritage division. But Callum’s approach feels different.
Where Eagle tends to perfect what was already there, and Jaguar Heritage focuses on factory-correct restorations with modern reliability, Callum’s vision pushes the design language forward. It’s not about recreating the past – it’s about asking what the E-Type would look like if it had been allowed to evolve naturally over the decades, guided by the same principles that made the original so special.
From Concept to Reality?
For now, this E-Type exists only in the digital realm. But Callum’s studio has a track record of turning concepts into reality, having already built the Aston Martin Vanquish 25 restomod and street-legal versions of the Jaguar C-X75 supercar prototype.
While no technical specifications have been released, indications point to a traditional internal combustion engine rather than an electric conversion. Some speculate it could pack Jaguar’s supercharged 5.0-liter V8 from the F-Type, which would certainly give it the performance to match its looks, but the original straight-six or V12 could also be candidates for a modern rebuild.
Spec Sheet
Design House: Callum Designs
Lead Designer: Ian Callum (former Jaguar Design Chief, 1999-2019)
Body Style: Two-seat roadster
Wheels: Modern aero-disc design with three-spoke center motif
Transmission: Five-speed manual (based on rendering)
Engine: Undisclosed (likely internal combustion, not electric)
Production Status: Concept only, with potential for one-off builds
Base Donor: Jaguar E-Type (specific series not confirmed)
Pricing & Availability
As a concept project, no official pricing has been announced. However, knowing what we now about Callum and his pedigree, any production version would likely command a price well into six figures. The studio is accepting “serious inquiries” for potential one-off commissions based on this design.
Recap
Callum Designs Jaguar E-Type Concept
Former Jaguar design boss Ian Callum reimagines the legendary E-Type with subtle modernizations including LED lighting, flush door handles, and custom wheels, while maintaining a manual transmission and dual exhaust.
