1973 Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster

Lot details
Registration No: MYS959M
Chassis No: 1S1899
Mot Expiry: June 2020

- 1 of just 1,872 RHD examples made, matching chassis and engine numbers plus desirable manual gearbox

- Extensively restored from 2017-2019 including bare metal respray, full re-trim, bottom end engine overhaul, rejuvenated carburettors, new clutch and brake cylinders, suspension refurbished all round. Electrics and mechanics checked and repaired as necessary

- New sound deadening, stainless steel exhaust, windscreen, period looking radio with MP3 connectivity etc

- Trickle charger lead installed, battery cut-off switch, fresh battery

- Photo album of the restoration work and tens of thousands of pounds worth of invoices

A common saying in the car industry is that the first iteration of a model belongs to the designer, but the last belongs to the engineer. Thus it was when the Series III Jaguar E-Type V-12 was introduced in March 1971. With its 5,343cc overhead camshaft V-12 engine generating prodigious torque, a lengthened body with extended arches allowing a wider track and a sumptuous and practical interior, this was a very competent luxury tourer. A limited-slip differential and servo-assisted disc brakes supported a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds, the fastest of any E-Type, and top speed of 146mph was possible through the four-speed manual gearbox. As Denis Jenkinson wrote in a period article for Motor Sport:

"Once out on the open road you soon become aware that this is no ordinary 'E'-type for the rev-counter will go round to 6,000 r.p.m. and more with no fuss whatsoever. now and then there would be occasion to pull out and squirt past some traffic and [it] really did come into its own. The V12 did not need anything like the time and space I was subconsciously allowing for overtaking, which made me realise how rapidly it was accelerating, making it an even safer and more long-legged car than the old six-cylinder."

This car is one of just 1,872 right-hand drive examples of the E-Type V-12 roadster. It has matching chassis and engine numbers, a desirable manual gearbox and a history file including an extensive photographic record detailing a restoration since 2017 that the owner informs us cost over £49,000. The car now sports fresh blue paintwork and a new contrasting red interior.

First registered in August 1973, the car has had five owners including the vendor who purchased in in 2017 from marque specialists Classic Motor Company (CMC) of Bridgnorth. The car came with CMC's comprehensive assessment detailing 90 points of recommended improvement but confirming that the engine compression was strong and that there was no sign of rust in the vehicle. After purchase, the decision was made to carry out an extensive restoration to address the points raised by CMC and subsequently it was decided to take the car back to bare metal and refinish in the correct period Jaguar colour of Opalescent Dark Blue.

Over 250 photos and tens of thousands of pounds worth of invoices detail that restoration, during which no rust was found but an historic sill repair replaced, panels realigned and sound-deadening replaced. A new windscreen was fitted, as was a new interior in red including seats, seat pads, door cards, carpets and seat belts. A period radio with MP3 connectivity was added, as was a hard-wired trickle battery charger. The bodywork, paint and interior are now described by the vendor as 'excellent'.

Mechanically, bills show that the car was comprehensively overhauled, with a bottom-end rebuild, new belts, refurbished carburettors, gearbox selector shafts adjusted and gearbox/ engine oil seal replaced. A stainless exhaust and new brake and clutch master cylinders were fitted, and suspension components overhauled both front and rear. Indeed, the vendor states that all mechanical and electrical components were inspected, repaired or replaced, and describes their condition as 'very good'. At the end of the restoration, the car passed an MOT inspection (valid until 28th June 2019) with no advisories, and comes complete with V5, Heritage Certificate and substantial history file. The clutch was renewed earlier this year.

Series III E-Types, especially V-12 Roadsters, have become increasingly collectable in recent years. Benefitting from a very extensive and carefully documented restoration, this home market car presents in excellent condition both inside and out and is likely to attract a great deal of interest.