Registration No: BRF 298J
Chassis No: 1S50447
MOT: Exempt

• One of just 2,116 right-hand drive examples and fitted with the desirable manual gearbox
• Matching chassis and engine numbers
• Offered with a comprehensive history file including the Jaguar Heritage Certificate
• Displaying c.28,000 recorded miles

Last of the line, the Jaguar E-type Series III was introduced in 1971. Longer, wider and more comfortable than its predecessors, the newcomer blurred the lines between sports car and grand tourer. Powered by a turbine-smooth all-alloy SOHC 5343cc V12 engine allied to either Jaguar four-speed manual or Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, the refined manner in which it performed (contemporary road tests spoke of 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds and 150mph) simply blew road testers away. Benefitting from a broader track, ventilated disc brakes, power-assisted rack and pinion steering and Lucas transistorised ignition, the Series III was visually distinguished by its 'egg-crate' grille, flared wheel arches and purposeful quad-exhaust pipes. Available in Fixed-Head Coupe (2+2-seater) or Roadster (2-seater) guises, it remained in volume production until 1974 (though, a special commemorative run of forty-nine Black-painted roadsters was released the following year).

According to the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate on file, chassis 1S50447 was manufactured on the 14^th September 1971 and despatched on 6^th October 1971 to its first owner via supplying dealer Stanley Harvey & Co and registered as ‘DOI 3113’. Originally specified with a manual gearbox and liveried in Light Blue over a Dark Blue interior, the 12-cylinder E-Type was PDI’d on the 26^th October 1971 and delivered to its first owner recorded on its accompanying green logbook, a Mr Thomas Parsons of Holywood, County Down. Mr Parsons only kept the big cat for four years before the next owner took custodianship in 1975 and a notable amount of the original service history on file is credited to this period. Following acquisition by the second owner, the car remained in Northern Ireland until the late 1980s and it was during this time that it caught the eye of esteemed Jaguar historian Philip Porter, who would feature it in his published guide ‘Original Jaguar E-Type’ as the feature car for the Series III chapter.

Having left Northern Ireland and now in the custodianship of its Birmingham based fourth owner, 1S50447 was registered as ‘BRF 289J’ and subjected to a comprehensive overhaul which included the independent rear suspension, front suspension and a repaint into the Opalescent Silver Blue Metallic that it presents in today. Following the restoration work, a local pottery maker and classic car collector Mr Tams purchased the 2+2-seater and continued in the same vein with its servicing record, and a note in the history file explains a speedometer swap due to a faulty original instrument at just 19,400 miles. Staying in Mr Tams’ collection until his passing in 2001, the Jaguar was sold via the now defunct ‘The E-Type Centre’ of Birmingham to a Mr Gordon of Ealing, London and was marketed as ‘the best V12 2+2 we’ve ever had’ which is attested to by an accompanying sales document. Cherished by Mr Gordon for some 17 years, the Grand Tourer was used sparingly when he was in the UK, being put into storage for short periods when he was abroad and again adding to the extensive maintenance history when in use until ultimately it was stored from 2007 until 2018 when it was moved onto its previous owner. The previous owner only kept ‘BRF 289J’ until 2021, when it was acquired by the vendor through esteemed E-Type specialists, ‘E-Type UK’ of Kent.

The current owner and vendor has seldom had the opportunity to enjoy this low-mileage Coupé, and it has covered only a further c.2,000 miles for events such as the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic since acquisition inbetween long periods of dry-storage in Hampshire. Notably during the vendor’s ownership, however, with long continental tours on his mind, he opted to have a period looking air-conditioning unit newly fitted to make warmer climes more comfortable.

During our recent photography appointment, we noted that the mighty 12-cylinder power unit fired up eagerly upon a flick of key and that the clutch and gearbox feel in fine fettle. The vendor pointed out that the paintwork remains in overall ‘good shape’ although several panels are now suffering from areas of micro blistering. The rear suspension unit appears to be sitting up very well although the front suspension is due some attention, displaying a noticeable ‘nose-down’ attitude in comparison to earlier photographs. The interior trim appears to be mostly the original fittings with obvious restoration work having been carried out to achieve perfection where necessary – and we feel that a delightful patina is now exhibited upon the leather seats. The recorded odometer reading at the time of consignment was 8,164 miles and with the original having been changed at 19,433 miles we understand that the total mileage is c.27,600 miles.

Now offered for sale without reserve, ‘BRF 289J’ is surely an unrepeatable opportunity to obtain a genuine low mileage car with favoured specification and one of the most comprehensive history files we have encountered for its kind. Supplied with its Heritage Certificate, V5C, numerous receipts for works since new, MOT history, green logbook and original book pack including stamped British Leyland service book, any genuine Jaguar enthusiast should jump at the opportunity!

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430