The One-of-a-Kind 1966 Jaguar E-Type Redesigned by Raymond Loewy

Avant Grace - Every now and then, the world of car design is graced by a mind that dares to go beyond the blueprint. Raymond Loewy was one such force—an industrial designer whose ideas helped shape the look of the modern world. From elegant trains and futuristic cars to some of the most recognizable products and branding ever made, Loewy's influence left a lasting impression. Over time, we've explored several of his standout creations in the automotive space: the bold 1941 Loewy Lincoln, the sleek 1955 Jaguar XK140 Coupe, the unforgettable 1957 BMW 507 Loewy Concept, and the striking 1959 Lancia Loraymo. Each one carried his unique style and fearless approach to form.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

But among all those creations, one car stands out—not just because of its rarity, but because it reimagined a legend. Enter the Raymond Loewy E-Type Jaguar, a car that took the already-iconic British sports car and turned it into something truly individual. Only two Jaguars were ever customized by Loewy, and sadly, only one remains today. The first—a 1955 XK140—was lost in a fire. The second—and now the only surviving—1966 Loewy Jaguar was built upon the revolutionary E-Type and turned into a rolling design statement.

Raymond Loewy posed with his custom Jaguar XKE in 1966. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)

Built in collaboration with French coachbuilders Pinchon-Parat in Sens, France, the car was more than a showpiece. Loewy actually drove it during his time living in France and Monaco, using it as a personal expression of his design philosophy. The car stayed mechanically untouched—no performance upgrades or engine swaps. Instead, all the creative energy went into reshaping its appearance.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

Loewy had the E-Type’s body shortened both at the front (by 25 cm) and the rear (by 12 cm), giving it a more compact and aggressive profile. The front end was reimagined with a dual-headlight setup behind plastic covers, a look that echoed jet-age styling cues. The traditional grille was swapped out for a large, oval-shaped metal intake, likely boosting the airflow and solving the original model’s known cooling issues.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

The changes continued around the back, where Chevrolet Corvair tail lights replaced the standard Jaguar units, seamlessly integrated into the rear panels. The twin exhaust pipes no longer exited below the license plate but instead flared outward at sharp angles, adding to the car’s futuristic feel. A glass spoiler—rare and bold for the time—was placed on the rear edge of the roof, giving the silhouette a final visual punch.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

One of the most forward-thinking touches was a large red brake light mounted inside the cabin, clearly visible through a rear window that was 25% larger than the factory design. This brake light, activated by the pedal, anticipated modern safety standards long before they became law. It was classic Loewy—function meeting form in perfect balance.

 

The interior, meanwhile, stayed true to Jaguar’s original layout, letting the exterior do all the talking. And what a conversation piece it remains. Every line and angle on the car reflects Loewy's obsession with clean, purposeful design. This wasn’t just a car—it was an idea in motion.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

After Loewy parted ways with the car, it changed hands within France until the 1970s, when a young architect and car designer named James Murry Hunt came across a classified ad—likely in The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Hunt, who had once studied under Loewy himself, purchased the car sight unseen and brought it to San Diego, California, where it quietly lived for the next 40 years. Tucked away in a garage, this one-of-a-kind Jaguar was all but forgotten by the wider automotive world.

This one-off 1966 Jaguar E-Type, custom-designed by Raymond Loewy with coachwork by Pinchon-Parat, was publicly offered for the first time since 1970. (Picture from: CarsBonham)

Yet today, it resurfaces as a remarkable piece of history—untouched, unrestored, and still wearing the creative fingerprints of one of the 20th century’s greatest designers. Though it now requires servicing, particularly to the brakes, it remains in strong running condition and holds immense potential for concours events or serious collectors looking for something no one else has. | Q_Xpzq9lrWc |

The Raymond Loewy E-Type Jaguar is more than just rare. It’s a symbol of what happens when iconic design meets fearless imagination. With every curve and custom feature, it tells a story not just of automotive history, but of a man who never stopped shaping the future—even when it came to something as timeless as the Jaguar E-Type. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARS.BONHAM | SUPERCARS.NET | MYCARREQUEST | CARSTYLING.RU ]

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