First Eagle Spyder GT customer car delivered

The first Eagle Spyder GT customer car has been delivered to its owner around 250 days after production of the hand-built model began.

The Spyder GT joins the Speedster and Low Drag GT to become the Eagle's third Jaguar E-Type replica model. A run of up to six Spyder GTs is planned, with the second order already in and production soon to start.

Each open-top model costs £834,000 in Britain (or £695,000 excluding taxes) - which is about the same as the Low Drag GT.

Like all Eagle cars, the Spyder GT starts life as an original Jaguar E-Type, which is then restored and modernised to create the Eagle car. Owners get a choice of engines, including the original 3.8-litre and 4.2-litre six-cylinder units which powered the original, but most, like the buyer of the first GT, opt for Eagle’s 4.7-litre six-cylinder conversion unit.

The aluminium block 4.7-litre engine produces 330bhp at 4800rpm alongside 340lb ft of torque from 3600rpm, and is connected to a five-speed aluminium gearbox. The car weights 1029kg, so power-to-weight is 321bhp/ton - about the same as a Porsche 911 GT3. 0-60mph takes less than 5sec and top speed is over 170mph.

Eagle says the new model “combines the style and dynamics of the celebrated Eagle Speedster with the high-performance touring capability of the Eagle Low Drag GT”.

Eagle describes the new car as combining “the poise and performance of the Low Drag GT and the exquisite styling of the Speedster". It adds: "The Spyder GT’s raked windscreen and folding roof offer the best of both worlds – whatever the weather.

“Each of the very few produced will have an entirely bespoke specification dependent of the specific desires of each client.”

Eagle design director Paul Brace said: “Development of the Spyder GT began soon after the launch of the Speedster in 2011 and, like everything we produce, we wanted to ensure that we got as close to perfection as humanly possible.

"We’re renowned for being perfectionists and our clients are too - so we took the time to develop and deliver an E-Type that stands proud alongside the Speedster and the Low Drag GT.”