1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster
Registration no. EFH 354M
Chassis no. 1S1779BW
Engine no. 7S11210SA
• Body and paintwork restoration carried out in 2005
• Unusual Heather (pink) exterior colour
• Present enthusiast ownership since 2010
• Maintained by the vendor's in-house team

This remarkable Jaguar E-Type was offered - and sold - at the recent Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale in September. The buyer at that sale was unable to complete the purchase and it thus presents another opportunity to the many collectors who expressed an interest at Goodwood. The estimate of £45,000 - 55,000 remains the same and, apart from this disclosure, the catalogue description also remains the same.

One consequence of the E-Type's long process of development had been a gradual increase in weight, but a good measure of the concomitant loss of performance was restored in 1971 with the arrival of what would be the final version – the Series III V12. Jaguar's new engine could not have enjoyed a more fortuitous parentage, having been designed by Walter Hassan and Harry Mundy, two of the most experienced and respected engineers in the industry. Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block, 4.2-litre XK six it superseded, the new all-alloy, 5.3-litre V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed comfortably in excess of 140mph. Further good news was that the 0-100mph time of around 16 seconds made the V12 the fastest-accelerating E-Type ever.

Beneath the skin, ventilated front discs improved braking power and the front suspension gained anti-dive geometry. Lucas transistorised ignition and Adwest power-assisted steering were now standard, while automatic transmission was one of the more popular options on what was now more of a luxury Grand Tourer than out-and-out sports car. Flared wheelarches, a deeper radiator air intake complete with grille, and a four-pipe exhaust system distinguished the Series III from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge. The interior though, remained traditional Jaguar.

The V12-engined Series III would turn out to be the final edition of this charismatic and most coveted of British sports cars, and when production ceased in 1975 over 15,000 of this last-of-the-line model had been produced.

Finished in Heather (pink) with matching leather interior and original black hardtop, this E-Type V12 Roadster was purchased at Bonhams' Oxford sale in March 2010 (Lot 435), joining a stable of cars belonging to our vendor, an active enthusiast who regularly attends shows and rallies. Since acquisition it has been well cared for, looked after by an in-house team responsible for day to day maintenance.

In 2010 we catalogued that the E-Type had covered only 27,000 miles from new and was in highly original condition, benefiting from a body and paintwork restoration carried out in 2005 that made it look 'showroom fresh' once again and a real head-turner. Unfortunately, the history file was lost during a house move but documentation remaining on file from previous owners confirms the mileage and ownership record.