The Bridgewater Commission is a bespoke, open-top grand tourer blending Series I–III lineage, D-Type cues, and modern performance. ECD Automotive Design has unveiled its most ambitious creation yet: 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, dubbed the Jaguar E-Type GTO, represents a new vision for 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. 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 Jaguar GTO is the first of its kind: handcrafted, analog, and unapologetically bespoke.
“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.”
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 is reinterpreted for modern presence.
ECD completed the build in Florida, fitting the bodywork over a custom-configured Series II chassis and installing a Jaguar V12, 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,” he added. “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 Soul
Inside, the Jaguar E-Type GTO exudes vintage character and 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 drama of 1960s sports cars.
Modern conveniences — including Bluetooth audio, heated seats, USB ports, automatic headlights, and power locks — are hidden seamlessly 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.
Vehicle Highlights
- Model: Jaguar E-Type GTO — The Bridgewater Commission
- Bodywork: Hand-formed aluminum panels built in Coventry; long-nose Series I–inspired silhouette; functional louvers; side gills; bullet mirrors; yellow fog lamps
- Paint: Metallic British Racing Green
- Powertrain: Rebuilt Jaguar V12 by Team CJ (Austin, TX); ECD-developed fuel injection and cooling; over 400 horsepower
- Chassis & Engineering: Series II chassis; Series III engine; custom cradle and axle system for seamless integration
- Suspension & Brakes: Fully adjustable ride height and damping; fast-ratio steering rack; 6-piston front / 4-piston rear calipers
- Wheels & Tires: 15-inch custom Turrino Wire Wheels; Pirelli blackwall tires
- Interior: GTS Classic Car Seats in Spinneybeck Lucente Hercules leather; brushed aluminum dash; Moal Bomber gauges; bespoke toggle switches
- Technology: Bluetooth-compatible vintage-look radio; heated seating; USB charging; automatic headlights; power locks
- Roof: Custom removable hardtop for open or enclosed driving
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