Estimated Price: £180,000 - £200,000

Few cars have achieved the enduring status of the Jaguar E-Type. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful automotive designs ever created, its combination of elegance, performance and engineering sophistication established it as a benchmark for sports cars the world over. More than sixty years after its debut, however, there remain those who wonder what Jaguar might have achieved had development continued without the constraints of mass production, legislation and cost.

For Neville Swailes and his Coventry-based company, Building the Legend, that question became the foundation of an extraordinary business. Often likened to Singer Vehicle Design and its reimagined Porsche 911s, Building the Legend has earned an enviable reputation for creating bespoke Jaguars that honour the spirit of the originals whilst elevating every aspect of their performance, craftsmanship and usability.

At the heart of the company's creations lies the remarkable 'Tera' V12, an engine inspired by the legendary quad-cam Jaguar V12 originally developed for the XJ13 Le Mans project. Following Swailes' discovery of the sole surviving complete example of this fascinating powerplant, years of research and development culminated in the creation of the modern Tera V12, a bespoke engine programme that forms the centrepiece of every Building the Legend commission.

The car offered here is one of the company's highly individual 'Reimagined E-Types' and began life as a left-hand drive Series 3 Fixed Head Coupé before undergoing a comprehensive transformation in Coventry. Re-engineered throughout, it features beautifully crafted steel bodywork hand-formed by skilled artisans, a substantially strengthened monocoque structure and uprated suspension, steering and braking systems designed to deliver modern levels of confidence and refinement.

Power comes from Building the Legend's 6.1-litre Tera quad-cam V12, producing approximately 450bhp and 450lb/ft of torque through a five-speed manual gearbox. Managed by a modern ECU and benefiting from distributor-less ignition, the engine delivers effortless performance, with an estimated 0-60mph time of around four seconds and a top speed approaching 180mph. Equally impressive is the soundtrack, combining the turbine-like smoothness and unmistakable character that only a naturally aspirated Jaguar V12 can provide.

Finished in the elegant and rarely seen shade of California Sage, the car presents beautifully and is complemented by bespoke 16-inch stainless steel wire wheels and a sumptuous Whisky-coloured interior trimmed to an exceptional standard. Engine-turned dashboard detailing provides a subtle nod to the earliest E-Types, whilst discreetly integrated modern features include air conditioning, speed-sensitive power steering, electric windows, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and parking sensors.

A regular attendee at prestigious events including London Concours d'Elegance and Salon Privé, this remarkable Jaguar combines the timeless appeal of the E-Type with engineering sophistication and performance that comfortably rival far more contemporary machinery. Neither restoration nor recreation, it is instead a thoughtful and highly accomplished reinterpretation of one of Britain's greatest sports cars.

Offered at a level significantly below the cost of commissioning a similar build today, this unique Coventry-crafted grand tourer represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most distinctive and technically fascinating bespoke Jaguars in existence.