1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III Roadster

A decade after the first Jaguar E-Type arrived late in 1961, the design progressively matured through 1971 with a smooth and torquey V12 engine replacing the straight six that had effectively reached the end of its development life. 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 a longer 105-inch wheelbase and 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, with more comfortable seating and stylish new 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. Slightly larger, and altogether much softer in nature, the E-type in Series III form had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long-legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited.

This right-hand drive 5.3 V12 manual roadster was first registered on the 13th June 1974 and is showing one previous owner. The present owner bought the car in 1983 and took it to France where he was living at the time. Some time later the car was sidelined by a minor mechanical issue and, as is often the way in the world of classic cars, it lay in his garage for over 20 years. He then moved to Brazil and began the sale of his house in France, at the same time arranging for the E-Type to be transported to 'Classic Restorations' in Alyth in Perthshire for a full restoration (including a bare metal respray). He has a good friend in that part of the world who agreed to oversee the project on his behalf. As the owner is not a British national he was unable to get the log book (V5C) in his name, however, after corresponding with DVLA it was agreed that the log book entry would be in his friend"s name in order for him to drive it when the work on the car was completed. So the registration document lists two keepers, the second of which is the good friend of the E-Type's owner.

Classic Restorations Ltd of Alyth, carried out the majority of the work with Brayon Classic Engineering from Alexandria being entrusted with the engine. There are invoices available in the history file detailing the process and pictures of all the work carried out during this cars restoration.

Included with the car is the original bill of Sale from Greencoat Motor Co. of Chessington to the present owner, the number Plate Authorization Certificate, a range of MOTs from the early 80s, the original Operating, Service and Maintenance Handbook, and then MOTs for the past two years since the car was returned to the road. The vendor reports that this sleek E-Type's Primrose Yellow coachwork remains in excellent condition as does its black interior. With an MOT until May 2017, this is a lovely and honest example of a well-restored Series III manual roadster and we are sure, at this competitive guide, it will be heading for a new home soon.