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    1 September 2017

    Is this 20B-powered E-Type an engine swap too far?

    By James LisleJames Lisle
    It looks so right, but it feels so wrong. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)

    We're all for engine swaps, as you can tell, but meddling with an original E-Type? Don't do it man...

    You see, meddling with an original '60s E-Type is like playfully throwing a baby up to the sky, except it's the newly born baby Jesus. I mean, yeah sure, go for it. But make sure you don't drop it on its head.

    Built around a custom tube chassis made from a Luego Viento and using a genuine shell from an ex-American E-Type, Muttley Racing's '3Type' Jag uses a naturally aspirated version of Mazda's triple-rotor, twin-turbo 20B engine.

    Never heard of the Luego Viento? Neither have we. Best to think of it as a V8 Caterham. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com) Never heard of the Luego Viento? Neither have we. Best to think of it as a V8 Caterham. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)

    Heaps of other bits and bobs are in the Jag, too, such as a LSD and brakes from a Sierra Cossie, a MkII Escort's steering (sweet!), and a six-speed from an RX-8.

    If that doesn't sound insane enough, know that bigger, more shiny parts are soon to be installed, such as bridge-porting and RX-8 rotors, in order to turn this little pocket rocket into a full-on screaming nightmare.

    In the words of Palpatine, "do it". (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com) In the words of Palpatine, "do it". (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)

    Currently running on a rich fuel mixture and limited to around 3500pm, the Jaguar "3Type" made its debut at the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb. While we don't want to speak on behalf of the spectators, they seemed to be pretty shocked. And for good reason.

    And to piss off the traditional Establishment even more, the E-Type is finished off in the traditional British racing green, albeit with wide-body extensions and a side-mounted straight pipe exhaust. Nice.

    • With most of the weight distributed across the chassis, this thing should handle like a dream. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com) With most of the weight distributed across the chassis, this thing should handle like a dream. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)
    • The front mid-engined design is shared by the S2000, McLaren SLR, and most Astons. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com) The front mid-engined design is shared by the S2000, McLaren SLR, and most Astons. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)
    • Enzo Ferrari once called the Jaguar E-Type 'the most beautiful car in the world', and for good reason. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com) Enzo Ferrari once called the Jaguar E-Type 'the most beautiful car in the world', and for good reason. (image credit: Muttley Racing/Facebook.com)

    But is this heresy you ask? I don't think so. While half the Oversteer office scoffed at the idea of a rotary powered E-Type, I've come to appreciate it. If it was an already pristine example that had been defiled, then sure - "off with his head".

    But going out of your way to save a neglected shell that is surely destined for the crusher (even if your wallet pleads that you walk away) earns respect from me. Jolly good.

    What do you think of the Jaguar '3Type'? Should it be left to someone else to save, traditionally? Tell us what you think below.

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