1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster

Jaguar introduced the E-Type in March 1961 to worldwide acclaim. Early forays into motor sport were rewarded in May of that year, when Graham Hill celebrated the type's first win at Oulton Park. Success on the track was reflected on the road, and was to continue right up to 1974 with over 70,000 E-Types eventually produced in Coventry. From 1961, the E-Type evolved and improved throughout its lifecycle from the original Series 1 Coupés and Roadsters, through the Series 2 cars of the late 1960s until finally the Series 3 arrived in late 1971, this 5.3 V12 being only available as a convertible or a '2+2'. Approximately 7,990 Series 3 convertibles were sold worldwide before production ceased.

Offered here is a fabulous Series 3 Roadster (chassis number 1S 2335), which was first dispatched on 14th September 1973 to the Bolton Motor Company in Lancashire. The original purchaser was a Mr B. Winstanley of Wigan, who initially registered the car as GBN 284N on 18th November 1974. According to the Jaguar Heritage Certificate contained within the history file, the car left the factory in Dark Blue with a Russet interior.

The second owner was Ronald Brecknall of Birmingham, who purchased the car on 10th May 1985. The first MoT certificate within the file is dated 1st June 1988 showing a mileage of 38,761 at that point. By July 2003, the car had only reached 40,244 miles and it was later on during that year that a Statutory Off Road Notice was applied for by Mr. Brecknall, which he renewed annually for the next 4 years. During this period, the car was MoT'd each year, and presumably some light maintenance was undertaken if required.

Clearly "GBN 284N' was treasured over the years, as rafts of invoices lay testament. The front and rear bumpers were re-chromed in 2007 before, after 23 years of ownership, the car was sold to a Mr R.Morgan of Sevenoaks in September 2008 with 42,087 miles indicated.

Acquired in 2013 by a Mr S.Messenger of Surrey, this Series III E-type was about to commence the most exciting chapter of its life with some significant improvements. The car was taken to Sports Car Classics of Tonbridge, Kent who repainted it completely and fitted a new Jaguar Heritage bonnet, the cost of which alone was an eye-watering £5,341! The car was also treated to a full re-trim including the seats, and a full carpet set courtesy of BAS International. All the brightwork was re-chromed by London Chroming and a new hood frame and hood fitted by Suffolk & Turley at the cost of £1,990. Under the stewardship of Mr Messenger, there are invoices totalling over £35,000 from SNG Barrett, Martin Robey, David Manners and other respected Jaguar specialists. Now looking absolutely stunning in Indigo Blue with a red leather interior and matching carpets, this V12 roadster is very impressive.

Supplied with an MoT until 20th April 2016, a UK V5c and a comprehensive history file which includes the original drivers handbook, "GBN 284N' is now indicating, a believed genuine, 43,177 miles on the odometer. For many years the Series 3 lagged behind its older siblings in terms of desirability but no more. Stand next to this gleaming dark blue E-Type, and it's not difficult to look through Enzo Ferrari's eyes when he described it as "The most beautiful car ever made."