1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

A decade after the original Jaguar E-Type arrived, the design progressively matured through 1971 with the introduction of the Series 3. Designed to showcase the new smooth and torquey 5.3-litre engine, originally developed for Le Mans, the Series 3 cars were available as a 'Roadster' (convertible) or a '2+2' Coupē. The Series 3 is easily identifiable by its large cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, a larger bonnet bulge, updated bumpers, four exhaust tips, and a badge on the rear that proclaims it to be a V12. It also featured uprated brakes, power steering as standard and a large horizontal scoop added to the underside of the bonnet to assist with cooling. The interior was entirely new in the V12, with more comfortable seating, stylish new door panels and a smaller, dished and leather-rimmed steering wheel. Being slightly larger and altogether much softer in nature, the E-Type in Series 3 form had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long-legged touring profile, to which it was arguably better suited.

This very smart Series 3 Roadster was supplied in left-hand drive with automatic transmission and dispatched to British Leyland, New York on 25th October 1972. Between 2015 and 2017 over $46,000 was spent by its Texas-based owner in restoring both cosmetics and a mechanical overhaul which included a rebuilt automatic transmission and differential, overhauled fuel system, rebuilt and synchronized Stromberg carburettors, valve cover gaskets replaced and engine ignition system updated. Further upgrades included an Aluminium XKE specific radiator and fan, rebuilt disc brakes including master cylinder and booster and a rebuilt power steering rack. The car returned to the United Kingdom and was registered with the DVLA on 1st May 2018. The car remains matching numbers and this, together with the extensive list of recent works, inspired the confidence of our vendor’s purchase of the Jaguar on the 23rd September 2018.

With an odometer reading of 61,548 miles, at the time of cataloguing, and having covered some 3,000 miles of enjoyable motoring, our vendor presents this car to auction with recent receipts of £3,000 for a new hood and re-foaming of the seats by Aldridge Trimming, retaining the patinated black leather. The exhaust system has been upgraded to a stainless steel unit, a retro-looking DAB and Bluetooth-enabled radio has been installed and a battery isolator switch fitted. A wooden steering wheel has been fitted for aesthetic reasons but the original steering wheel has been retained for the sake of originality. The history file includes the V5C registration document, MOT Certificates, a vast amount of restoration invoices detailing the work carried out, its Jaguar Heritage Certificate and ownership history dating back to the early 1980s. For those wishing to enjoy some Continental touring in a comfortable classic, we cannot think of a more suitable left-hand drive V12 E-Type currently on the market.

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