Description
Author: Philip Porter, Hardbound, 528 Pages, ISBN: 9781907085079, 1st Edition, 2011
The Lightweights Es are the ultimate E-types, and this is the ultimate book on these charismatic cars. This is the full story of the competition E-types that took on the might of Ferrari and often beat the legendary GTOs and the AC Cobras. With copious unseen period photographs and original Jaguar reports, the glory years of the '60s are told as never before, including the build up to the Lightweights and the evolution of the Low Drag versions.
Many of those involved have been interviewed and are extensively quoted. Names include Sir Jackie Stewart, Roy Salvadori, Dan Gurney, Brian Redman, 'Lofty England, John Coombs, Peter Sutcliffe and over 200 more. In Part 2 each of the 12 Lightweights and Dick Protheroe's unique Low Drag Coupe, CUT 7, has a chapter charting, with much fresh and intriguing research, their life story.
In Part 3 various period and present day drivers, including Martin Brundle, compare the Lightweights with the GTOs and Cobras with some great insights.
The book concludes with the revealing thoughts and assessment of Formula One legend and Lightweight owner, Adrian Newey. The atmospheric period photos in Parts 1 and 2 contrast with the stunning modern action and studio photography in Parts 2 and 3. A truly heavyweight book on the ultimate versions of the world's favourite sports car.
Philip Porter has written around 30 motoring books and twice won the Montagu Trophy awarded by the Guild of Motoring Writers for the best motoring book of the year. As for so many young boys in the '60s, the sensational E-type was the stuff of dreams for Philip.
A motor racing enthusiast since childhood, Porter started competing successfully while still at school. He began writing in the Eighties and flying hot air balloons in the Nineties, becoming an airship test pilot, winning the Silver medal at the 1991 European Airship Championships and making the first ever airship flight in Africa. He has twice been Chairman of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and is an active member of the Jerome K. Jerome Society.
In 2005 he compiled and published the Stirling Moss Scrapbook' with his hero, Sir Stirling, and they have now done four together, with another threatened. Another great honour was writing the best-selling 'Murray Walker Scrapbook with the motor sport legend.
Philip has written around 15 books on Jaguars, owns 9600 HP (the oldest E-type) and 848 CRY (roadster raced in '61 and featured in the film The Italian Job), formed the International Jaguar XK Club, with his wife Julie, in 1998 and the Jaguar E-type Club in 2005. He lives in a Tudor farmhouse in Worcestershire with his wife and cats.
