Team CJ Low Drag Coupe

This very special Team CJ Lightweight E Type is being built as an alloy bodied tribute to the world famous Low Drag Coupe created by the Jaguar factory when they modified Peter Lindner's 1963 Lightweight E Type roadster (chassis # S850662). Malcolm Sayer designed the bodywork with improved aerodynamics, hoping to push Lindner towards the winner's circle at Le Mans in the spring of 1964. Unfortunately, the car suffered mechanical problems which ultimately led to it being withdrawn from the race. Tragically, just a few months later, Peter Lindner lost his life when he crashed his Low Drag Coupe while racing in Monlhery, France.

In terms of appearance, the Team CJ Lightweight Low Drag Coupe will closely resemble the original "Lindner" Low Drag Coupe. The car will feature a Team CJ 4.7L Stage Two engine producing around 390 HP and 445 ft/lbs of torque as well as a host of performance and reliability upgrades.

Update report

Update report - August 14, 2023

Update report - June 15, 2023

Update report - May 26, 2023

Update report - April 18, 2023

First test drive in the parking lot. Doors and wind screens installed.

Update report - March 27, 2023

Progress continues toward road test readiness

Update report - January 20, 2023

Engine assembly nearing completion

Update report - December 23, 2022

IRS and engine installed

Update report - November 4, 2022

Update report - October 26, 2022

Update report - September 19, 2022

Update report - July 5, 2022

Update report - June 8, 2022

Update report - November 30, 2021

Body has been primed with sprayable polyester.

Update report - September 23, 2020

Assembling the engine in the Team CJ engine shop this afternoon.


Darien installing the pistons and rods








Oil pump assembly and piping now installed	Timing chains in place


Timing chain cover and water pump installed


	Red mark denotes heavy side of piston on the exhaust side


Corey and Darien installing the head


Torquing the cylinder head nuts	Timing the cams

Update report - September 18, 2020

Darien has the short block assembly underway in the Team CJ Engine Shop.

Update report - July 27, 2020

Corey has now completed the machine work and reassembled your cylinder head.


	Water jackets have been welded and reshaped on the mill


Head on the assembly bench


	Installing the custom Team CJ tappets


Installing the Stage Two camshafts


	The finished article!

Update report - July 27, 2020

The following sequence of photos show the cylinder head machine work underway and the cad plated front suspension.


Stroked billet crank, Carrillo rods and ARP main caps


Reshaping water jackets after weld repairs	Align honing the cylinder head


	A view down the cam shaft saddles


Honing the valve guides


Front suspension restored and cad plated

Update report - June 23, 2020

Trial fitting front and rear screens to the Low Drag Coupe

Update report - June 19, 2020

Lots of progress with the Low Drag Coupe engine rebuild in the Team CJ machine shop.


Cylinder head prior to disassembly	Two chambers have shrapnel damage that will have to be welded and machined


	Close up of shrapnel damage


The head pays a visit to Jake in the TCJ Coachworks	Welds will be ground back and machined


Custom top hat liners installed	Machining the deck surface perfectly flat


Grinding main caps in preparation for the align hone	Setting up to align hone the block


	A view along the seven main housings, which are now perfectly straight and round


	Test fitting the billet 4.7 crankshaft

Update report - June 17, 2020

More of Carlos' handiwork in the TCJ trim room!


	Seat base hide sections now sewn together


Carlos trimming the excess trim and hide from the bottom of the seat base


Seat base now ready to install


Note attention to detail even on areas of the seat base that won't be seen


First seat now fully assembled








Simpson belts add a nice period looking touch

Update report - June 11, 2020

The following sequence of photographs show Carlos beginning the process of trimming the seats in black hide. The last three images show the special flywheel and ultra strong clutch supplied by my friend Rob Beere in England.


Lightweight aluminum seat frames	The contours in the foam are carved by hand


	Making templates for the hide sections


Carlos sculpting the edges of the seat back


	Plotting the location of the pleats








The new hide that will be used for both seats








	Marking out the pleats for the first seat back


	Sewing the pleats





	Carlos has been working his magic in the TCJ trim room for more than 12 years!





	One seat back now virtually complete


	Ultra strong billet clutch needed to handle almost 450 ft/lbs of torque


	It will be a shame to hide these items inside the bell housing!

Update report - May 22, 2020