1971 Jaguar E-type S3 Roadster

After the first Jaguar E-Type sports cars arrived late in 1961 with inline six-cylinder power, the design progressively matured through 1971 with smooth V12 power. Known as Series III cars, they also featured a larger bonnet bulge, larger wheel openings, a slightly wider track, a revised grille and updated bumpers. The convertible now rode on the longer 105-inch wheelbase. As a result, the doors and sills were longer, and the length and depth of the floor pan increased. A large horizontal scoop was added to the underside of the bonnet to assist in cooling. The interior was entirely new in the V12, including the seats and door panels. The centre console was now vacuum-formed with a simulated leather finish and a smaller, dished and leather-rimmed steering wheel was fitted.

Larger, and softer in nature, with weight distributed 53/47, the Series III had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited. Robert Bell in MotorSport was quoted as saying at the time that they "all expected to try a new engine. What in fact they drove was a new car. Not a yowling, aggressive Ferrari-like machine", with which, perhaps forgivably most people associated a V12 engine, "but a very smooth, quiet and refined grand touring sports car"...

Finished in the stylish and timeless colour scheme of Red with tan leather interior, this charming if not concours example of Jaguars' big V12 roadster comes with chrome wire wheels, its original automatic gearbox as well as a host of bills from Marcus Barclay Jaguar Specialists of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, documenting the cars maintenance throughout its current ownership from 1995. Imported from the USA in 1991, JRO 343K benefits from having been expertly converted from Coupe to Roadster form, and to righthand drive specification for UK motoring. Bodily and structurally this car is in first-rate order. Cosmetically, the original interior is beginning to show signs of the cars age and as such the car is priced accordingly.

With price expectation on many British sports cars pushing honest and usable classics out of reach of the masses, this Jaguar is sensibly priced to ensure a new owner can enjoy many more years of grand touring from the comfortable cockpit of a desirable sports roadster. If this is your first foray into classic car ownership, you won't be disappointed. Offered with fresh MoT test certificate and UK V5C, subject to insurance, this charming 70's icon can be driven away from the sale...