1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster Only one family owner and 54,412 miles from new

Lot details Registration No: SFK 600M Chassis No: 1S2329 MOT: Exempt Owned by the vendor's father from new 54,412 miles from new Offered with a large history file displaying much recent expenditure Fitted with the desirable manual gearbox 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." (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 wheel arches, re-profiled wings and larger grille, the model also boasted vented disc brakes and a restyled interior. According to its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate, chassis 1S2317 was completed on August 22nd 1973. Finished in Silver with Russet leather upholstery and a Black soft-top, the E-Type was despatched to distributor P.J. Evans of Birmingham some three weeks later and thence to the marque’s Castle St, Worcester franchisee. Purchased new by the vendor’s father and first road registered as ‘SFK 600M’ on 18th January 1974, the two-seater is warranted to have covered a mere 54,412 miles. Accumulating the majority of those during the 1970s (including several, memorable school runs), the Roadster was primarily restricted to holiday usage thereafter with trips to France and Cornwall. Driven less and less over the past thirty years, the Jaguar has nonetheless been treated to a fair amount of remedial work and minor restoration. Entrusted to leading marque specialist CMC of Bridgnorth in 2008, the E-type received attention to its power steering, brakes (new discs / pads), suspension bushes, rear subframe / differential, carburettors, fuel lines and cooling system etc plus the fitment of a stainless steel exhaust and five fresh tyres at a cost of £12,425.58. Benefiting from a new clutch slave cylinder and brake servo during 2009 and 2016 respectively, the Roadster was repainted by Worcester Classic Cars Ltd in 2017. The same company installed a new brake master cylinder and ignition pack during 2022. Awesome Auto Trimming of Cambridgeshire deep cleaned the upholstery / carpets as well as renewing the soft-top / boot mat and detailing the engine bay last year (associated £2,369 invoice on file). Passing from father to son in 2015, the latter comments: ‘a reluctant sale given the family history but I no longer have the time or budget to keep ‘SFK 600M’ in the condition it deserves’. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a low mileage, low owner, ‘matching numbers’, manual V12 Roadster at a tempting guide price. For more information, please contact: Lucas Gomersall lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk 07484 082430