So where do you stand on Jaguar producing six new lightweight E-types?
Is it a good idea and a worthy celebration of one of the finest sports cars ever produced? Or an unnecessary plundering of history from a company that should now be looking solely to the future as it's been burdened by its past?
I must admit that I have been edging to the latter point of view ever since the idea was announced, and even the images of the car released last week didn't sway me much.
Not least because I just couldn't see any of Jag's rivals following suit. You can't imagine a few new Ferrari 275 GTs or half a dozen Mercedes 300SL Gullwings going on sale.
But I am being slightly converted – not just because I've now had a chance to see the car in the metal at its Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance reveal. Largely because the craftsmanship of the car itself is exquisite – as it should be for the rumoured £1 million price tag – but even so, the attention to detail is breathtaking.
I was also rather taken by the reaction to the car. In an event full of owners of such vehicles everyone thought it was a positive way for Jaguar to launch its Special Vehicles Operations (SVO). They were also taken by the charming back story, that the company originally planned 18 cars in 1963 but only made 12, leaving six 'spare' chassis numbers.
In that light it does seem a fitting way to launch SVO, one that will make high performance cars as well as take care of heritage. And why should Jag stand by and let companies like Eagle do the job for them?
But what do you think? Should Jag make a habit of this type of project or should SVO just get on and give us a M3-rivalling XE?
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A qualified "yes."
Pro
First, the commercial outlook. Jaguar Land Rover's gargantuan profits lately have primarily stemmed from rising interest in China, where they're very interested in brands with history. Creating this car brings awareness to one of Jaguar's greatest achievements, and will therefore do wonders for the brand's image in their most important market. Increased sales of volume models will follow, and it's a canny move in the lead-up to the XE.
Second, the enthusiast outlook. This is a car with the kind of style and light weight that you could only have produced in the 1960s and 70s - but it's a car made with 2010s attention to engineering quality. It's the best of both worlds, and I think it's a thing of jaw-dropping beauty.
I think it's important that projects like this stay rare - no more than every five years or so - to keep the brand's forward-thinking image. But I'd be very happy to see a 2019 XK-SS, or XJ13. Or a C-X75......
Does it even matter?