2016 Jaguar F Type Project 7 Roadster
Registration no. FX16 HRD
Chassis no. SAJAC7047GMK27584

'This is the most powerful road Jaguar yet, hand-built at the company's Special Vehicle Operations division and thus fitted with all the top-end running gear.' – Autocar on the Project 7.

In 2012, nearly 40 years after the E-Type's demise, Jaguar finally got around to announcing the long-awaited and much-rumoured F-Type, which would turn out to be a more worthy spiritual successor to its illustrious forebear than either the preceding XK8 or, before that, the XJS. A front-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater, the F-Type is built on an aluminium chassis, cleverly configured to minimise the transmission of noise and vibration to the passenger compartment, while its suspension is the supercar-standard arrangement of double wishbones all round, with adaptive dampers and adjustable settings. Multiple driving modes cater for different road conditions and driving styles.

Unlike the E-Type, the F-Type is available with a wide variety of different power plants, ranging from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four via a 3.0-litre turbo V6 to a supercharged 5.0-litre V8. A ZF eight-speed paddle-shift semi-automatic transmission was standard on all models at first, with a six-speed manual available later on the V6s. The F-Type debuted at the Paris Motor Sow in September 2012 in convertible form, with the fixed-head coupé following in 2014. Nowadays it is de rigeur for car stylists to reference past models in their latest creations, and to some observers the coupé's rear recalled that of one of the rarest of E-Types: the low-drag factory racer.

To cater for the sports car market's seemingly insatiable appetite for limited edition models, Jaguar launched the 400 Sport – produced for just one year – and Project 7, which would be built in a run of only 250 cars. Project 7 had first seen the light of day as a single-seater concept car shown at Goodwood, and so favourable was the reception that it was decided to press ahead with making a more practical two-seater production version. They soon sold out, with 80 assigned to customers in the UK. The 'Project 7' designation referenced Jaguar's seven Le Mans wins, while the 'Aero Haunch' behind the driver's head was an obvious nod towards the D-Type sports-racer responsible for three of those victories.

An aggressive-looking shallow-screen barchetta, Project 7 has all-aluminium bodywork and is powered by the 5.0-litre supercharged V8, up-rated to produce 567bhp, 25 horsepower more than in the F-Type R. Coupled with a 45kg weight reduction, this makes Project 7 the fastest accelerating F-Type yet, with a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 3.8 seconds. Like many of the current crop of supercars, Project 7 is electronically limited to a top speed of 186mph (300km/h). The 'top-end running gear' includes the eight-speed paddle-shift auto box; electronic differential; carbon ceramic brakes; specially tuned suspension; and unique settings for engine management and chassis stability control. The result of Project 7's unique set of characteristics is a track-focused car capable of satisfying even the quickest of drivers. 'That's the Project 7 all over,' declared Autocar. 'Extra agility was promised, extra agility was delivered and a lot more driver improvements came along for the ride.'

First registered in 2016, this ultimate Jaguar has covered only circa 7,000 miles under one owner, Jaguar retailer Sturgess of Leicester, and comes complete with a full service history and all books, tools, etc. Finished in British racing green with black quilted leather interior, this ultra-rare car is presented in effectively as new condition. One of the first Project 7s to be offered at auction in the UK, 'FX16 HRD' presents an opportunity not to be missed.