Lot details Registration No: ORW444M Chassis No: 1S51991 Mot Expiry: None
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 sports car 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 together with wider tracks front and rear, 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, it also benefited from vented disc brakes and a restyled interior.
Finished in red with black leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "all good" (electrical equipment, wheels / tyres), "original / excellent" (interior trim), "excellent" (5343cc engine, four-speed manual gearbox, chassis) or "superb" (bodywork, paintwork) condition. Said to have had just three owners - the first of whom dry stored it from 1984 until earlier this decade - 'ORW 444M' is believed but not warranted to have covered a mere 58,223 miles from new. Once out of hibernation, the Jaguar was reportedly stripped to a bare shell and fitted with new panels as necessary (including a bonnet) before being treated to lead-loaded seams, twenty-four coats of cellulose paint, eighty percent renewed chromework and a replacement headlining. Mechanically overhauled at the same time, it gained a stainless steel exhaust and fresh brake discs etc but retained its original steel wheels, leather upholstery, radio, toolkit and spare key. Apparently little used during the current ownership and kept in an air chamber, more recent work has nevertheless seen the car benefit from a "new fuel pump relay, battery and small service". Boasting an interesting history, this desirable manual V12 E-type is offered for sale with sundry receipts, old MOT certificate (2003), tax disc (1984) and parts catalogue.
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