50th anniversary E-Type sculpture to raise money for Henry Surtees Foundation

15/12/2011

A sculpture that incorporates metal from the award-winning restoration of Jaguar’s ultimate Lightweight E-Type, the Lindner Nocker, is to raise money for the Henry Surtees Foundation.

It was during the 7,000-hour restoration of this famous vehicle that the idea came about to put a small amount of metal from the original car to a good charitable use and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the famous marque.

Classic Motor Cars Limited, Bridgnorth, approached one of the world’s leading automotive design schools, (appropriately situated in Coventry, home of Jaguar) and they agreed that this would be a wonderful project.

Classic Motor Cars (CMC) sponsored a competition, which over 40 of the school’s students entered. A panel headed by Ian Callum, Head of Jaguar Design, finally chose the piece designed by Claudio Barbato, a third year design student from Bedford.

Just five of these beautiful pieces entitled 'E-Motion' will be produced. They are milled out of solid aluminium and mounted on a polished black granite base, into which is set a piece of the original Lindner Nocker metal, formed as a body tag bearing the number of the Lindner Nocker car and distinguished by its individual piece number.

All the monies raised from these five pieces, which are priced at £9,950 each, will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation.  This charity was set up after Sir John Surtees’ son was tragically killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch.  The Foundation assists people who have suffered accidental brain and physical injuries, providing education and training in technology, engineering and fitness. It also advances young people by developing their skills and capabilities so that they can participate in society as independent and responsible individuals.

Sir John Surtees OBE said: "I had the pleasure of knowing Lofty England, the legendary figure so involved in Jaguar race successes and the development of the E-Type. Lofty kindly arranged for me to have early examples of both 6 and 12-cylinder models. It gives me great pleasure to be associated with this very special sculpture celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the E-Type, and incorporating metal from that ultimate lightweight. I would like to thank Peter Neumark and the Classic Motor Car team at Bridgnorth for their wonderful gesture in providing this support to Henry's Foundation, it is very much appreciated."

The sculpture was unveiled at the Royal Automobile Club on Monday 5th December, in the presence of Sir John Surtees.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, says: "This is a wonderful charity and the sculpture is all the more appropriate as John Surtees was the recipient of one of the very first E-Types to leave the line in 1961. The Royal Automobile Club is delighted to support such a worthy cause."