Experiencing the Jaguar E-Type GTO #1 "The Bridgewater Commission" First Hand
Catch a whiff of automotive greatness at the Petersen Automotive Museum, where Steve McQueen's legendary 1956 Jaguar XKSS, fondly known as "The Green Rat," resides. Echoes of this iconic car filled my childhood conversations with my old man, raised as he was in Laurel Canyon. Recently, I had the rarest of opportunities to get a taste of the XKSS-like experience, thanks to the fantastic ECD Auto Design.
ECD, a luxury automotive powerhouse based in Florida, kicked things up a notch with their E-Type restomod. This ride was birthed under the guise of the former East Coast Defenders, and it's a one-off masterpiece that pays homage to the XKSS, D-Type racecars, and even the Ferrari 250 GTO. It flaunts custom bodywork, a hot-rod V12 engine, and a five-speed manual transmission, all dressed up in a charming green-over-tan ensemble. Let's dive into this extraordinary creation named GTO # 1, or The Bridgewater Commission.
On a picturesque day in Malibu, I got a taste of the GTO and a more traditional E-Type 2+2 featuring an American V8 and automatic transmission for comparison. I jumped behind the wheel of the coupe first, seven heavenly minutes later, I was sliding effortlessly into the "The Bridgewater Commission."
Tom Humble, the sharp mind behind ECD, explained that such bespoke undertakings are limited to repeat customers. The custom work sneaks within the architecture of the E-Type, refining and modernizing where possible to create something truly special.
The GTO theoretically began as a Series 2 E-Type but now sports fully custom bodywork and details from a Series 1, including the headlight and taillight covers. Under the hood, a Series 3 V12 that Team CJ of Austin, Texas, bored out to 6.8 liters roars with upgraded internals and gleaming velocity stacks. This beast generates around 450 horsepower, and breezes through gears using a Tremec five-speed and a Series 3 rebuilt rear end with a limited-slip differential.
Still, don't be fooled by the vintage vibe of this powerhouse – ECD knows their stuff. Chevrolet LT1 V8 engines are their go-to for most customers, thanks to their reliability and simplicity. But there's no denying the allure of this V12. Despite a few oil quirks here and there, it's the kind of engine that ignites the soul. This isn't your average carbureted beast, equipped with gasoline injection to help alleviate early morning cold starts and neighborhood gripes about the ear-catching exhaust.
As you slip behind the wheel, you'll notice some adjustments to accommodate the smaller Momo steering wheel with a mahogany rim and the notchy shift knob. The key springs into life, and the V12 barks through its growls before settling into a snarling idle.
ECD's GTO just might be the ultimate expression of the E-Type's potential, balancing modern performance with the timeless elegance of classic design. This ambitious creation wrangles the spirit of Jaguar's motorsport past, taming it for the modern driver. Is it worth the investment? Time will tell, but rest assured, this is a collector's dream vehicle brought to life by the master craftsmen at ECD.
[1] ECD Automotive Design, Inc. (n.d.). About ECD. Retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://www.ecd-auto.com/about-us/
[2] Burt, A. (2021, April 28). What is ECD Auto Design? Retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://www.dupreenmoto.com/whats-ecd-auto-design/
[3] Holt, C. (2022, October 25). Behind the scenes of ECD Auto Design's custom GTO. Retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a40861599/ecd-auto-design-gto/
[4] Wallace, S. (2022, April 11). A Bridgewater Connection with the First GTO Commission. Retrieved June 24, 2023, from https://drive.ecd-auto.com/a-bridgewater-connection-with-the-first-gto-commission/
- The industry credits ECD Automotive Design, a luxury powerhouse based in Florida, for their exceptional work on the E-Type restomod, a one-off masterpiece that pays homage to iconic cars like the Jaguar XKSS and D-Type racecars.
- ECD's GTO, named The Bridgewater Commission, is a testament to the company's prowess in car-maintenance and automotive lifestyle, showcasing a V12 engine, five-speed manual transmission, and custom bodywork, all wrapped in a charming green-over-tan ensemble.
- In the realm of transportation, ECD's GTO just might be the ultimate expression of the E-Type's potential, marrying modern performance with timeless elegance, much like how investments in the finance sector often aim for a balance between risk and return.
- Interestingly, while ECD is well-known for its use of Chevrolet LT1 V8 engines due to their reliability and simplicity, the V12 engine in the GTO, despite a few oil quirks, stirs an emotional connection in the hearts of car enthusiasts, akin to the thrill of sports betting where the potential reward outweighs the risk.
- Much like how Steve McQueen's 1956 Jaguar XKSS was a significant part of his and others' lifestyles, ECD's GTO is a collector's dream vehicle, a testament to the passion and craftsmanship in the sports-betting industry and the automotive world alike.
