1974 Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster Commemorative Edition

Lot details
Registration No: JOK764N
Chassis No: 1S2865
Mot Expiry: June 2004

The 1961-launched Jaguar E Type caused a sensation in the press and on the roads. For not only did it employ monocoque construction, independent suspension and disc brakes all round, was clothed in very aerodynamic bodywork and powered by the already well proven XK motor of 3781cc capacity producing 265bhp, but also the new sports-car was extremely good looking in both open and closed fixed head coupe form. Offering 150mph for less than £2100, the E Type rapidly became a showroom hit with performance car buyers too. On the track, too, the model excelled, Briggs Cunningham and Roy Salvadori bringing the new model home to a highly creditable fourth place overall in the 1962 Le Mans.
In 1964, capacity increased to 4235cc for the Series 2. From 1966, there was also an auto-shift option, mainly for the US, Jaguar's most important export market. In 1971, an even more torquey 5343cc 272bhp V12 engine appeared under the bonnet of the Series 3. This was the first quantity production 12-cylinder engine since the 1948 demise of the Lincoln Continental and, most importantly for the Midlands car maker and exporter, Jaguar's twelve was fully compliant with emission regulations on both sides of the Atlantic. The V12 E was readily distinguished by having a cross-hatch radiator grill and had power-assisted steering as standard. The Series 3 was available either as an open roadster or a 2+2 fixed head coupe. 15,287 were built.
After fourteen years of production and a total of 72,500 of all types of E Type being sold to an appreciative clientele worldwide, this Series 3 was one of the final batch of just 50 special Commemorative V12s produced by Jaguar Cars at their Browns Lane works in Coventry in 1974. As with 49 of the other cars in the very Limited Edition run, the 2-door convertible bodywork was finished in black with the interior trimmed in cinnamon hide with a black hood, a truly stunning combination further enhanced by chromed wire wheels. Unlike most of the other Commemorative Es, which have automatic transmission, this car had the preferred 4-speed manual gearbox fitted by the factory. Additionally, to mark this being the end of the line for the icon model, on the dashboard is a plaque recognising not only the final year of E Type production and the manufacture of this particular car, but also the signature of marque founder, William Lyons.
The 23,000 miles displayed when entered for this sale is believed by the vendor to be the genuine total mileage from new. Along with the current MOT, the most recent invoice detailing maintenance items carried out by dealers Stratstone of Mayfair in a stem to stern check-over is also included in the documents file. The current overall mechanical and cosmetic condition of this, the most exclusive and collectable of all E Types is described as flawless and magnificent in every way. Commemorative E Types rarely come to market. This is therefore a very rare opportunity to secure almost certainly the finest example available.