ECD Auto Design Unveils a One-of-One Jaguar E-Type GTO

ECD Automotive Design has unveiled a Jaguar E-Type GTO, a bespoke, open-top grand tourer built from the ground up for a private client under what is now known as The Bridgewater Commission. This one-of-one vehicle represents what the E-Type could have become—a handcrafted, performance-focused grand tourer inspired by Jaguar’s motorsport history and the spirit of 1960s-era homologation specials, stated company officials in a press release.

In ECD’s naming convention, “GTO” stands for Grand Touring Open—a performance-built, open-air configuration rooted in classic design and elevated for modern driving.

“This is the Jaguar GTO that never was—but always should have been,” said Scott Wallace, ECD co-founder and CEO. “The Bridgewater Commission challenged us to look beyond restoration and build something entirely original. We weren’t just honoring Jaguar’s history—we were evolving it.”

Hand-built in Coventry & Reimagined by ECD

The Jaguar E-Type GTO’s body was formed in Coventry, England—Jaguar’s spiritual home—by heritage metal craftsmen who shaped its long-nose bonnet, tapered tail and functional louvers with inspiration drawn from the Series I E-Type and racing-spec D-Type. Its proportions evoke classic endurance racers, but every line has been reinterpreted for modern presence, noted the release.

ECD completed the build in Florida, fitting the bodywork over a custom-configured Series II chassis and installing a Jaguar V-12, rebuilt and tuned by Team CJ in Austin, Texas—one of the foremost Jaguar performance shops in North America. The engine is mated to ECD-developed fuel injection, a modern cooling system, and a bespoke center-exit twin-pipe exhaust that delivers more than 400 bhp.

“This car pushed the limits of what’s possible when blending three generations of E-Type architecture,” said Elliot Humble, ECD’s chief technical officer. “Series I body, Series II chassis, Series III power—every part was reconsidered, refined and reengineered to work in harmony. This wasn’t just a technical challenge. It was a reward. Because once it all came together, and we rolled it out for the first time, we knew this was something the world had never seen—and might never see again.”

A Touring Cockpit With Classic Appeal

Inside, the Jaguar E-Type GTO combines vintage character with bespoke detail. Custom GTS Classic Car Seats are wrapped in hand-stitched Spinneybeck Lucente Hercules leather and finished in a vertical fluted pattern. The brushed aluminum dash features Moal Bomber gauges and classic toggle switches, invoking the tactile controls of 1960s sports cars.

Modern conveniences—including Bluetooth audio, heated seats, USB ports, automatic headlights and power locks—are hidden within the cabin. A custom removable hardtop was designed late in the project, allowing the driver to enjoy either full open-air grand touring or enclosed comfort.