1973 Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster

Lot details
Registration No: EWV395L
Chassis No: 1S23070
Mot Expiry: Aug 2017

- 3 former keepers and believed but not warranted to have covered just 53,000 miles from new.

- Restored to concours condition between 1999 and 2001 by its last owner. Subsequently scoring 99.54, 99.94, 99.88 and 99.73 (out of 100) in Jaguar Clubs' North America competitions.

- Original livery and matching chassis, engine, gearbox and body numbers.

- UK registered, MOT tested, JDHT Certificate

By 1971, Jaguar's jaw-dropping E-Type had been in production for a decade. Despite continual improvements, new emissions legislation in the all-important American market threatened to strangle the big cat's performance. Jaguar responded by giving its revered sportscar fresh claws in the shape of a 5343cc V12 developed from the stillborn XJ13 Le Mans project car. The new engine was both effortlessly powerful and eerily refined. "The turbine-like smoothness with which the engine provides a sustained shove in the back is almost uncanny, the more so when one accelerates hard in top gear without even a gearchange to interrupt one's headlong dash into the distance" (Autocar 5th July 1973). With some 272bhp and 304lbft of torque on tap, the Series III E-Type once again had 150mph in its sights. A revised wheelbase yielded better cabin space and in conjunction with wider front / rear tracks, new anti-dive front suspension geometry and fatter tyres gave improved road holding. Imbued with a more muscular stance thanks to its flared wheelarches, re-profiled wings and larger grille, the model also boasted vented disc brakes and a restyled interior.

According to its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate, this particular example is not only finished in its original livery of Silver with Dark Blue upholstery but also able to boast matching chassis, engine, manual gearbox and body numbers. Supplied new to America, the Jaguar was retained by its first owner for seven years before being sold to Dr Jack Frost who kept it in dry storage until February 1999. Thereafter, the E-Type was purchased by Chuck Stork and treated to a meticulous two-year long restoration which he documented in great detail. As well as circa 100 'before and after' photographs, the history file contains numerous invoices relating to the refurbishment and an article about the car that appeared in the Wisconsin Jaguar Newsletter during 2002. Four score sheets relating to Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA) concours competitions held between 2001 and 2010 show that the Roadster was awarded 99.54, 99.94, 99.88 and 99.73 points! The car's impressive concours record is the reason that marque specialist XK Engineering advised the vendor to leave it in left-hand drive Federal specification. Some fifteen years after it was completed, the two-seater's condition is a testament to the time and trouble that Mr Stork put into its rejuvenation. Starting readily upon inspection, the Jaguar has recently been checked over and UK road registered as 'EWV 395L' by XK Engineering. Displaying a highly credible but unwarranted 53,000 miles to its odometer and possessing a MOT certificate valid until August 2017, this decidedly smart E-Type V12 Roadster is worthy of close inspection.