1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 RHD

MORE ABOUT THIS CAR...

A totally different animal to the earlier 3.8 and 4.2 models, the Series 3 was fitted with a brilliant 5.3L V12 that did much more than restore the performance and design of the slowly ageing British sports car. Part of the Series 3 production, the E-type saw the end of the ‘Fixed-Head Coupe’ and introduction of the 2+2 E-type, opening up the E-type’s appeal to the US growing grand tourer market.

Leaving the production line November 1971, this Series 3 V12 2+2, original UK right-hand drive was delivered to and sold by Belfast's Stanley Harvey & Co, finished at the time in Jaguar Light Blue, before the month's end. Entering its new ownership to a Mr Parsons, as highlighted by the accompanying original buff log, the E-type returned to the garage for regular maintenance and servicing for the following 3 years, with Mr Parsons keeping a detailed log of all on-going work and servicing.

Following its first change of owners in 1975, the E-type remained in Northern Ireland until the late 1980s. It was during this time the E-type caught the eye of well-known Jaguar author and originality authority, Philip Porter, later becoming a feature E-type in his published guide ‘Original Jaguar E-type’, using the example as the feature car for the Series 3 model chapter, which at the time held the NI registration DO1 3113.

Leaving Northern Ireland and arriving at its believed 4th owner, a Mr Bowman of Birmingham in 1989, an extensive works plan was put in place for the newly acquired E-type, enlisting the help of a Staffordshire based Jaguar specialist. Some of the notable highlights of the actioned restoration include the full rebuild of the independent rear suspension (IRS) and recommissioning of the front suspension. It was around this time we are led to believe the E-type underwent an exterior refresh, later finished in the Opalescent Silver Blue you see today.

Following this no expense spared restoration work, the Series 3 2+2 caught the eye of local pottery maker and classic car enthusiast, Mr Tams, later joining his growing Jaguar collection of XK120’s and Daimler Sovereigns in 1993. In the tradition of past owners, Tams continued the maintenance story, recording countless invoicing for extensive works undertaken on the E-type from regular servicing to future-proofing via retreating and spraying the boot floor. Part of this work the E-types speedo was also rebuilt and unfortunately, the mileage was reset to zero from its original low mileage of just 19,400 miles acquired from the last 2 decades. The restoration was rounded off in 1995 having totalled up just short of £40,000 spent starting its preservation work in 1989.

Part of his treasured collection for many years, it wasn’t until Mr Tams passing that the E-type entered the market, selling through the now-defunct sales specialists ‘The E-type Centre’, Birmingham, to a Mr Gordon of Ealing, London in 2001, marketing the car to be “the best V12 2+2 we have ever had”, which is reflected in the accompanying original listing copy and price.

Mr Gordon went on to be the E-type’s longest owner of 17 years, undertaking further meticulous and recorded maintenance on the E-type for several years, until circa 2005, when the British Grand Tourer entered storage as Gordon left the country to work abroad. Returning briefly in 2007, the E-type remained in storage until its sale in 2018 to its current owner.

With 6 previous owners and genuine tracked mileage of approximately 26,000 miles, this Series 3 V12 is truly a unique and original classic found in today market. Since its sale, the E-type has been used sparingly and consistently dry stored, further preserving this desirable example. Accompanied by an extensive and detailed history file, not only carefully tracking past owners and works but featuring desirable original documentation from the factory.

Finished today in Opalescent Silver Blue, the E-type’s finish remains in great condition with minor paintwork blemishes, original glass and well-kept exterior brightwork, producing an eye-catching example, causing any true enthusiast to stop and take a second look.

Pairing its rare finish paintwork with Dark Blue leather trim and matching webasto sunroof, the Series 3 offers a classic driving environment through its patinaed leather seats, original carpets and beautifully preserved gauges and instruments, all fully functional.

The preservation continues to the original set-up engine bay, home to Jaguar’s 5.3L V12 with period-correct Zenith-Stromberg carburettors, which with a turn of the key starts on the button and runs beautifully. The E-type comes alive when you take to the road, selecting your gears with precision through the original 4-speed manual, as the V12 produces that unmissable soundtrack through a dual fantail exhaust.

The E-type is available for immediate viewing, please call us on 01732 852762 or email sales@etypeuk.com to arrange a viewing.