Highlights
- One of the last 200 RHD OTS cars built
- Factory colour scheme of Signal Red, Biscuit leather and black roof
- £60,000 of investment between 2006 and 2022 via marque specialist
- Only seven keepers with single keeper from 2006 to 2022
- Very well presented car with desirable V12 engine and manual box
- Recent voluntary MOT with no advisories
- Displaying 69,000 miles believed correct by seller
The Appeal
Purists may revere the earliest flat-floor cars, but there’s a strong argument to say that, during its life, the E-Type just got better and better. The final Series 3 cars are more comfortable, more practical, and come equipped with perhaps one of the greatest mass-production engines ever built.
Just 1,872 RHD OTS Series 3 cars were built, and this beautiful Signal Red car is one of the last 200 produced. It retains its factory colour scheme, including a black roof and Biscuit leather, and features that desirable manual gearbox. It’s a unit that almost doubles as an auto - thanks to the V12’s torque, you can pull easily from 20mph in fourth.
This car is the sort of E-Type you hope to find. Beyond the originality of the specification, it stayed with the same keeper from 2006 to 2022, who entrusted it to marque specialist P&K Thornton for a total of £60,000 in work over the years. That work is detailed below and delivers a car in fine fettle today.
The current owner acquired the car in 2024 and has undertaken a further health check and service. The msot recent voluntary MOT was in August 2024 when the car passed with no advisories. It has covered few miles since. The vendor reports that the car drives well and is ready to enjoy.
History and Paperwork
- UK-supplied RHD car
- Dispatched 29th March 1974 to Henly's in Manchester
- First registered 21st August 1974
- Seven registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since November 2024
- Sngle ownership for 16 years between 2006 and 2022
- Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate confirming original specification and dispatch details
- Large history file documenting extensive maintenance and restoration work
- Over £60,000 invested from 2006 to 2022 with marque specialists P&K Thornton
- HPI check clear, copy on file
- Insurance valuations on file, ranging from £47,500 in 2009 to £86,000 in 2017
- MOT and tax exempt by age
- VIN number 1S2652
- Last voluntary MOT to 20th August 2025 with no advisories
- 69,031 miles recorded believed correct by seller
Summary of maintenance 2006 to 2022, mostly by P&K Thornton:
- 01/22: Inspect exhaust manifolds, replace studs
- 12/21: Major front suspension and brake refurbishment
- 05/20: Re-plate bumpers and overriders
- 04/19: Replace cooling system hoses
- 03/19: Full service and lubrication
- 07/18: Full service and lubrication
- 08/17: Suspension overhaul, cooling system refresh
- 03/17: Full service and lubrication, replace washer pump
- 06/15: Full service, replace front spline hubs/bearings, track rod ends
- 05/15: Full service and lubrication
- 08/14: Fit new Kenlowe fan
- 05/14: Full service and lubrication
- 04/13: Full service and lubrication
- 12/11: Full service and lubrication
- 12/10: Full service and lubrication
- 12/09: Full service and lubrication
- 06/09: Retrim interior to original specification and colour
- 05/09: Replace all shock absorbers
- 11/07: Full service and lubrication
- 04/07: Full service and lubrication
- 09/06: Replace outer sills, ‘B’ post panels and closing panels, WaxOyl
- 08/06: Recondition/upgrade radiator
- 05/06: Full lubrication and greasing, plus full service
The Condition
- Signal Red paintwork in the original factory colour
- Paintwork described by the vendor as being in very good order
- Bodywork presents well in photos with flush panel fit and good panel edges
- Fitted with chrome wire wheels and quality Blockley tyres
- Biscuit leather interior retrimmed in 2009 to original specification and colour
- Black soft top in good order
- Outer sills, 'B' post panels and closing panels replaced in 2006, with WaxOyl applied
- Bumpers and overriders re-plated in 2020
- The vendor states that everything works
- Largely factory standard, with the addition of a Kenlowe fan
- The vendor describes the car as cosmetically ready to go
Even a casual look at the photos confirms this is a very tidy E-type. Usual check areas like the door and bonnet fit and shaping of the rear arches confirm the quality of the bodywork, and the factory-correct Signal Red paintwork has an even colour and sheen across the car.
Inside, the retrimmed Biscuit leather cabin presents very well, just some light age to the driver’s bolster hinting at use. The switchgear and door cards are in good order, and there are only some minor points to note on small trim items.
The Mechanics
- 5,343cc V12 engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- The vendor reports the engine starts with a little choke and idles well
- Long list of maintenance by marque specialists detailed above
- Regular servicing and lubrication documented throughout the history file
- Further health check and service undertaken by the current owner since 2024
- No advisories on last MOT in August 2024
Beyond the E-Type’s flowing lines, the Series 3 adds a further charm: its superlative V12 5.3L engine. To drive one is to fall in love with one - when well set up, this engine has a turbine smoothness and silence that is genuinely beguiling. It isn’t a stretch to say it is one of the best engines ever built.
In this car, it's paired with a slick 4-speed fully synchromesh manual gearbox. Thanks to the engine’s torque, it’s a relaxing unit to use, as the car can largely be driven in 4th virtually anywhere. This car is said to run and drive very well, largely thanks to that extensive maintenance history, and the vendor tells us the low displayed mileage is genuine.
The car comes to market with recent service and a health check.
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