Lot details Registration No: JAT159L Chassis No: 1S1618 Mot Expiry: Aug 2010
The last E-Type Jaguar rolled off the production line in 1975, yet the model still has a unique ability to excite enthusiasts of all generations, its Malcolm Sayer-penned lines thought by many to be among the most striking ever to adorn a motor car. Indeed, only last year the Daily Telegraph ranked the E-Type top of the `100 most beautiful cars of all time'. Like the XK150 before it, it was born of Jaguar's competition successes on the race tracks of Europe. This was no ordinary motor car - it was a true thoroughbred. The E-Type or XK-E as it was known in the USA, made its debut at the Geneva motor show of 1961. Like the XK120 before it, at launch the new Jaguar was the fastest production car of its time - its 3.8-litre straight-six engine allowing a 0-60mph acceleration time of a whisker under seven seconds and a top speed of circa 150mph. From birth, the car was available either as a fixed head Coupe or a two-seat Roadster. The engine size was increased from 3.8 to 4.2-litres in October 1964. With the change came a sweeter all-synchromesh gearbox, better brakes and more comfortable seats. For 1966, a 2+2 version of the Coupe was added to the range. It was 9in longer and featured a more vertical windscreen. What are known as the Series 3 cars were introduced in 1971. With the exception of a handful of now very rare examples, they were all fitted with a new 5.3-litre V12 engine. The original (short) wheelbase was discontinued and the revised car offered only as Roadster (now based on the longer 2+2 floorpan) or 2+2 Coupe. Production of the Series 3 cars continued until the entire model range was superseded by the XJS in 1975; by which time some 15,000 V12-engined cars had been produced - most of which were exported to North America. The Series 3 cars are readily identified from their predecessors by the large cross-slatted radiator grille, flared wheel arches and V12 badge on the rear.
The righthand drive car offered was made in 1972 and sports manual transmission. Its coachwork is finished in Primrose Yellow while the interior is trimmed in black leather. The vendor describes the body panels as "very straight and original" and the paintwork as "excellent". The engine is said to be "very good" and the transmission as "reconditioned with a new clutch". The interior is apparently original and claimed to have an "excellent patina". The car comes with a large history file of invoices etc. It is MOT'd and taxed until August next year.
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