2021 Helm E Type

What you’re looking at is the prototype Helm Series 1 E Type, built in 2021 on a donor car dating from 1963.

Being the prototype, it is numbered 00/20 and is, therefore, utterly unique.

The 3,800 man-hours invested in this car are obvious and apparent in the following specification list.

300bhp 3.8-litre fast-road engine 
Five-speed gearbox 
CME8 Weber carb uprated billet camshafts (pair) 
Ported and polished cylinder head 
Large valve conversion 
Race valves 
Series 3 camshaft upgrade
Piper heavy-duty valve spring set 
H/D pre-stretched timing chain upgrade
Head manifold face resurfaced 
Late clutch conversion 
Custom lightweight steel flywheel 
Pro-race front pulley 
HT leads 
Braided cam oil feed pipe 
Distributor gear 
Cometic uprated rocker cover gaskets 
Rear oil seal conversion (non-split oil seal, includes custom flywheel) 
A.R.P. main bearing stud kit 
A.R.P. big end bolt kit 
A.R.P. fly wheel bolt kit 
Line honed block 
Refaced rocker cover faces and line bored camshaft housings 
Specially modified short skirt pistons with longer conrods for decreased emissions and increased torque, horsepower and RPM capability.
Aluminium doors 
Aluminium bonnet 
Soft close doors 
Nickel plated brightwork
Bespoke colour option – opalescent silver grey 
Stainless steel wire wheels 
Avon tyres 
Stainless steel exhaust system – big bore 
Power steering – electric 
Adjustable dampers/adjustable spring rate – GAZ suspension 
Uprated torsion bars FR/RR 
Polyurethane bushing 
Uprated performance bearings 
Big brake system front 
Big brake system rear 
LED headlamps 
Original instrument package 
Modern ISO rated wiring harness and fuses 
Standard hidden Bluetooth stereo system 
Bill Amberg designed/ interior collaboration 
Air conditioning 
Fitted bespoke luggage 
Bespoke trim options

But, ultimately, that’s just a list of stuff, albeit very impressive and high-quality stuff.

The car’s real value lies in how it makes you feel.

Anyone who has driven a Series 1 E Type will find this car to be nothing short of a complete revelation.

It does everything better, in every conceivable way: performance, handling, balance, handling, grip and stopping power have been upgraded and enhanced to levels that just weren’t available to the engineers of the 1960s.

And it’s all been done without detracting from the innate, immutable E Type-ness of the car.

Now that really is an achievement.
 

The famously gorgeous lines of the Series 1 are untroubled by any dinks, dents, creases or other aberrations.

The Opalescent Silver Grey paintwork has been applied to an exceptionally high standard and has a remarkable lustre and depth of shine to it wherever you look.

None of the nickel-plated brightwork has been blighted by any foxing, pitting or tarnishing and the stainless-steel wire wheels (all five of them) have clearly yet to have a close encounter with a kerb or other roadside hazard.

With fewer than 2,400 miles under them, the matching Avon tyres are full of life and have years of service ahead of them.

The lights, lenses, badging, trim and exterior fixtures and fittings are all excellent.

We’re tempted to say that the car looks as good as new and is in showroom-fresh condition.

The truth is that it’s in considerably better condition than any E Type that rolled off the production line back in the day.  
 

If you think the exterior is something special (and it is), wait until you see the interior.

It’s absolutely next level in terms of materials, workmanship, finish and quality.

Thanks, in no small part, to Helm’s close collaboration with Bill Amberg, who is as good as it gets in the world of leather-craft and whose work can be seen everywhere from top-end interior design, to corporate and hotel interiors, and even Westminster Abbey.

The upholstery and trim are sumptuous. We’ve never seen anything better.

You really won’t want to get out of this car.

Thankfully, Bill’s bespoke leather luggage will help you find the will to venture outside and head to your hotel check-in desk in unequalled style.

Mr Amberg’s website has the following to say of his firm’s work on the Helm E Type, “The interior, designed and produced in collaboration with Bill Amberg, sees buttery soft suede and plump semi-aniline leather used throughout. Lowering oneself into the driving seat of a Helm E-type is an unparalleled sensorial experience – the haptic qualities of the leather, together with thoughtful and exquisite internal detailing are intended to be as satisfying as trying on a new bespoke suit, or a perfectly fitted glove.”

We wouldn’t argue with any of that.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, knobs, switches, levers and instruments are fully functional and do what they’re supposed to do without reluctance.

We looked long and hard for something to complain about. Eventually, we found a small scuff to the leather at the top, rear corner of the driver’s door card, a couple of marks on the driver’s side sill cover, no doubt caused by the ingress and egress of expensively-shod feet, and a little wear to the carpet in the driver’s footwell.

That’s it.

Everything else is so fabulously exquisite, luxurious and richly inviting you won’t know whether to stare at it in awe or roll about in it like a cat in a patch of particularly addictive catnip.
 

“Our cars are genuine restored E-Types with original engines and drivetrains but with an emphasis on improving every aspect such as materials used, power, and build quality. We do not use another brand's engine.” - Chedeen Battick.

The engine bay is a visual treat on its own.

Everything is squeaky clean, shiny and, quite clearly, built to the hilt.

We’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene rating, never mind a mechanic’s report.

The undersides of the car don’t look as if they’ve ever been outside.

It’s all minty-fresh and entirely beyond criticism.
 

The vehicle has a fully stamped-up service book attesting to the fact that all servicing to date has been carried out by Helm themselves.

It doesn’t have a thick wad of bills, invoices and receipts because it’s only covered 2,400 miles and hasn’t needed any work.

The car comes with full sets of keys, a service book pack, a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate of Authenticity for the donor car, a clear HPI report and a V5C.
 

We see a lot of E Types here at HQ.

But we’ve never seen anything quite this special.

There is of course value in originality and authenticity, particularly if you’re talking about something as sought-after as a ‘flat-floor’ or one of the ‘lost six’ with the fully flared wheel arches.

But you’d need to come up with some very convincing arguments to persuade us that this fabulous creation isn’t the best thing we’ve ever seen wearing an E Type badge.

Carl Fabergé would have been proud of the attention to detail and sheer quality of build, trim and finish.

And we’re pretty certain that Malcolm Sayer would have been full of admiration for the car’s extraordinary dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic excellence.

We are delighted to offer this car for auction with Sealed Bids invited from £180,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.