CLUBHOUSE | DRIVING RANGE
BRITISH BEAUTY BEN OLIVER REVIEWS THE HANDMADE EAGLE E-TYPE SPEEDSTER, A CAR THAT JEREMY CLARKSON DESCRIBES AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD.
SCORECARD How much?
HK$7.5 million (ex-factory)
Engine:
4.7-litre straight six
310bhp Transmission:
5-speed manual
Performance: 0-100kph in 5.0secs 257kph How heavy? 1,008kgs
D
eep in the southern English countryside, at a former farm whose Clarkson of Top Gear fame was moved to describe exact location remains a secret to all but serious customers given it as “by a long way, the most beautiful car I’ve the value of the cars here (helicopter landing coordinates are ever seen. It might actually be the most beautiful supplied on request), you’ll find a temple to the most beautiful car thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve never driven a car that I’ve in the world. For 30 years, Eagle, founded by vintage car collector wanted more than this one. I yearn to own one.” and racer Henry Pearman, has traded in only the very finest Jaguar But even Clarkson can’t afford to. Only six E-types, the best now commanding HK$2.5m before taxes. Eagle also restores Speedsters will be made, each taking at least 6,000 them, but only to Pearman’s exacting, ‘zero-miles’ standards. It also improves hours to complete. The price? Around a million on them, offering a series of upgrades that keep the car’s US dollars, or HK$7.5 million. Even Only six Speedsters at that price, all six are officially sold, essential character but give it the reliability, comfort (and brakes!) of a modern car. A classic, fully restored E-type body will be made, each although if you’re quick you might be fitted with the full range of upgrades becomes an Eagle still be able to negotiate for one. An taking at least E-type, and comes with a HK$4m price tag. equally limited run of coupes inspired 6,000 hours to But now Pearman has gone a step further, and boldly by Jaguar’s one-off 1963 Low Drag attempted to improve not only on the E-Type’s performance complete. The price: Coupe E-type race car will follow if but on its shape: one that has been granted a place in the you can’t secure a Speedster. HK$7.5 million. permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, But can the Speedster really justify which regularly wins ‘world’s most beautiful car’ contests and which even Enzo that price? See one, and drive one, and you’ll be Ferrari reportedly admitted was the most beautiful he’d seen. Brave move. convinced. I was given the address of the farm But Eagle’s brilliant technical director Paul Brace seems to have pulled it off with to find out for myself. The car is more bewitching his Speedster body. Its subtly re-profiled shape, cut-down ‘speedster’ screen and than pictures can convey, and almost impossibly roofless rear end seduces everyone who sees it. Even the usually cynical Jeremy low. Yet it is comfortable, and the quality of
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construction would shame a Lexus. It starts and moves off as easily as a modern car and feels as tight and bulletproof: you know you could cruise from here to the south of France without being let down. But most importantly, it’s a thrilling car to drive fast. With 310bhp it isn’t excessively powerful, but it is very light, weighing in at just over a metric tonne thanks in part to its gorgeous, hand-rolled aluminium coachwork: less than most small hatchbacks. That gives it a power-to-weight ratio in excess of Jaguar’s ballistic modern F-type V8 S, itself a very fast car. But the Speedster manages to marry modern supercar pace to a very old-school, tactile, involving driving experience. It still feels like an E-type, except you know that now you have brakes that work, and so you’re inclined to use more of the power. But perhaps the greatest satisfaction is knowing that you’re piloting that sensational shape through the scenery: the Eagle Speedster is worth the price for that alone. HKGOLFER.COM
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