Jaguar’s E-Type is a car with true pedigree. The genesis of it lay in the successful D-Type racer, with its monocoque chassis and disc brakes, and the D-Type based E1A and E2A prototypes informed the production E-Type. The model history in a nutshell runs thus: the Series 1, built from 1961-64, had a 3.8-litre straight-six and was available as a two-seater roadster or coupe; the 4.2-litre engine was offered from 1964-68, while the tricky Moss gearbox was replaced with a more amenable all-synchro unit. A 2+2 four-seater was offered from 1966, and 1968’s ‘Series 1.5’ soft-launched a few changes before the full-blown Series 2 came in for 1969 – higher bumpers, relocated headlights, splayed exhausts and a wider mouth are all S2 telltales. And finally there’s the version we have here – the Series 3, produced from 1971-74. This had a growling 5.3-litre V12, egg-crate grille, and revised suspension and braking. Contemporary ad straplines read ‘Maybe we should have called it the F-Type’. Refining the road-racer into a sumptuous cruiser, this big-hearted machine was the E-Type’s last hurrah before it was usurped by the XJ-S – talk about going out on a high!

The example we have here has enjoyed a comprehensive five-year nut-and-bolt restoration, and the attention to detail is incredible. You can see from the massive history file that an incredible number of new parts were acquired throughout the course of this in-depth undertaking. Originally an American-market car, this E-Type was sent to New York in 1973, and it remained in the States until being repatriated in 2016. Its UK keeper then set about a full restoration, aided by local engineers and specialists, including a conversion from left- to right-hand-drive. The car was finished in 2021, at which point it was officially registered with the DVLA and issued a V5… and it’s barely turned a wheel since.

Due to a change in circumstances, the owner decided to sell, so this beautifully crafted E-Type has only covered around 200 miles since completion. The restored and repainted bodywork is glorious to behold, the interior has been sumptuously retrimmed, and the car is splendid to drive: having recently enjoyed a trouble-free cruise from the West Midlands down to South-West London, we can confirm that it’s a very smooth drive, and the temperature gauge didn’t once budge from its optimal position. Every element of this Jaguar points toward a project completed with a pleasing fusion of passion and thoroughness. 

The mark of a quality retrim is that the cabin should feel fresh and yet classic, and that’s very much the vibe in this E-Type. The trimming that’s taken place here was done to a high standard of quality, with magnolia leather and new carpets. The wood trim looks great, and these fresh materials blend seamlessly with the period details – the original Leyland-branded push-button radio, the elegant dials, the wood-rim steering wheel. It’s all highly pleasing to behold.
The seats are properly supportive, and tilt forward correctly to allow access to the equally neat rear bench. Inside the boot it’s all tastefully trimmed in magnolia too, with the boot floor panel hiding a matching spare chrome wire wheel.

The restoration work to the body has resulted in something straight and true with even panel gaps and a lovely finish to the new red paint. All of the exterior trim has either been replaced or re-chromed, and as such it gleams brightly like a new pin, and all of the era-correct details are present and correct.

The chrome wire wheels were purchased new during the resto at considerable expense, and are fitted with a matching set of tyres of the correct profile which have covered very few miles. You can see from the photos how beautifully presented it all is, with no flaws to the light lenses or window glass and all of the correct parts in place – and the presence of the USDM side markers acts as a neat continuation in this E-Type’s story from its former life in New York.

This is a tremendously smooth and willing E-Type. The V12 has evidently been paid the proper attention by people with an in-depth knowledge of these engines, as not only does it run sweetly (starting on the first attempt, idling evenly, and pulling strongly through the revs), but it’s very civilised in its manner. It’s often the case with V12 Jags that the driver needs to keep one eye on the temperature gauge, but that’s not a concern at all with this one. And it makes a glorious noise too, thanks to the new stainless steel exhaust system with Series 3-correct quad fantail exits.

The transmission is equally smooth, having been replaced this year with a recon unit. Also addressed during the restoration were the brakes and suspension, with everything throughout renewed and operating correctly, and the left- to right-hand-drive conversion has been carried out with thorough attention to detail, the power-steering making city motoring a breeze. Truly, a sublime car to drive.

There’s something beguilingly vintage about driving a V12 E-Type. The driver’s seat is a fabulous place to be, with the cosy cabin shrinking around you like a well-cut suit. Ahead of you sits a plethora of gauges, the likes of which a modern car could only dream of; that 5.3-litre engine has so much heart, and of course the principal lure of the sylph-like Jag is the way it looks. Slinky and curvaceous, bejewelled in glistening chrome. And this example, fresh from its incredibly thorough restoration, provides the complete package: it’s sufficiently clean and proper to win trophies on the showground, and it’s also thoroughly enjoyable and stress-free to drive. How can you resist?

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