Perhaps no car is as well associated with its maker than the Jaguar E-Type. The touring version of the legendary D-Type race car was in production for about a decade and a half, during which time it cemented Jaguar’s reputation for building high-performance machines with an overarching emphasis on luxury and design. The buttery-smooth straight-six and V-12 engines endowed the E-Type with robust acceleration, while the sophisticated monocoque architecture and independent suspension provided a comfortable ride and spirited handling.

While F may follow E in the alphabet, there was a large gap between the two Types in Jaguar’s lineup. When the F-Type bowed out in 2012 at the Paris Motor Show, it kick-started Jaguar’s modern renaissance. E-Type styling cues included roadster and coupe body styles with long hoods and short rear decks, swept-back headlights, and a cockpit-like interior. Power at launch came from supercharged V-6 and V-8 engines teamed initially to an eight-speed automatic transmission and later a six-speed manual gearbox.

A 575 hp F-Type SVR designed by the company’s internal hot-rodding division arrived in 2016 with ferocious power and track-worthy performance, but it was the F-Type Project 7 that paved the way. By chance, Brazilian–Italian designer Cesar Pieri showed Jaguar design chief Ian Callum a sketch for an F-Type that would honor the E-Type in its profile and the D-Type in its detailing. The car was shown in concept form at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance after Callum’s urging. Jaguar’s SVR division greenlit the project on the condition that its performance matched its styling. With the F-Type SVR on the way, the Project 7 would serve as an appropriate concept to garner interest.

Project 7 was inspired by Jaguar’s historic racing past, as the name alludes to their seven victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three of those wins were captured by the iconic D-Type, which had recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Project 7 was originally unveiled as a single-seater, open-top concept at Goodwood in 2014. An extra seat as well as a roof were added in its final production form.

Just 250 examples were to be built, with around 50 earmarked for American buyers. The F-Type Project 7 is a lightweight version of the 575 hp SVR, at least in principle. By Jaguar standards, the F-Type Project 7 is far from subtle, although it retains a dignified air. Gone is the SVR’s all-wheel drive in favor of drift-happy rear-wheel drive. The standard F-Type’s power convertible top was jettisoned for a traditional snap-on rain fly. A D-Type-inspired “aero hunch” sits behind the driver to aid aerodynamics, and the rear spoiler is fixed for improved downforce at speed. The cars could be ordered in a handful of colors including white, blue, and, of course, sporty British Racing Green.

The F-Type Project 7 offered here salutes its past in traditional and extra-cost BRG with white stripes, racing roundels, and other unique detailing. The interior is trimmed in black diamond-stitch leather upholstery. This example was initially celebrity-ordered and delivered to Jaguar Nashville but ultimately acquired by and registered with its first and current owner in California, who has covered just 4,800 miles during his ownership. The handful of Project 7 cars included a custom-fitted car cover, and just a few, including this example, came with a matching Project 7 racing helmet. The car is also offered with its factory manuals, hang tags, a factory Certificate of Authenticity, and an additional custom-fitted car cover.

Ultimately, Jaguar Land Rover invited this car to be displayed at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in 2016. The automaker later used the car as part of a photo shoot to promote the F-Type SVR.