1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 (2+2 Coupé)

Highlights

  • 5-year nut-and-bolt restoration
  • Massive history file
  • Full repaint with trim re-chromed
  • Interior retrim in magnolia leather
  • Wonderfully stress-free and enjoyable to drive
  • Right-hand drive example. 

The Appeal

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. 
Sold via Car & Classic this year, the current owner has decided to part with it again - this E-Type has only covered around 200 miles since completion, and has reportedly not turned a wheel since sale. The restored and repainted bodywork is glorious to behold, the interior has been sumptuously retrimmed, and the car is splendid to drive. Every element of this Jaguar points toward a project completed with a pleasing fusion of passion and thoroughness.
 



The History and Paperwork

  • V5 – showing it to be a 1972-built car first UK-registered in 2021
  • 2023 – invoice for £2,667 – recon gearbox & converter
  • 2020 – invoice for £2,977 – materials for interior retrim
  • 2020 – invoice for £831 – fuel tank and pump
  • 2019 – invoice for £729 – stainless steel exhaust system
  • 2018 – invoice for £692 – brake servo and master cylinder, etc
  • 2017 – invoice for £1,859 – new set of chrome wire wheels
  • 2017 – invoice for £1,314 – RHD steering rack conversion
  • 2017 – invoice for £960 – RHD power-steering assembly
  • 2017 – invoice for £1,020 – invoice for assorted chrome-plating
  • 2016 – invoice for £876 – high-capacity oil pump and suction union
  • Large sheaf of invoices for parts from specialist S.N.G. Barratt Group
  • Sheaf of invoices for parts from specialist Vicarage Ltd



The Interior

  • Fully re-trimmed in magnolia leather
  • New carpets
  • Complete new interior roof lining and sun visors
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.

We can’t spot any rips or tears to the upholstery, trim or carpets, and every dial is clear and easy to read; the entire thing is a highly attractive, evocative and beautifully finished time capsule.




The Exterior

  • Full body restoration throughout
  • Brand new red paintwork with fresh chrome trim
  • New chrome wire wheels
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.

Underneath, the car’s metalwork is close to flawless, with no clear signs of corrosion and everything from the suspension to the exhaust looking nice and fresh. 




The Mechanicals

  • Powered by the 5.3L Jaguar V12 powerplant
  • Very recently fitted with a reconditioned gearbox
  • No reported mechanical faults
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.


Summary

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?


Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1972
  • Make Jaguar
  • Model E-type V12 Coupe
  • Colour Red
  • Odometer 68,016 Miles
  • Engine size 5300
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Oswestry
  • Location Shropshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
49 bids
  • ma•••• £65,500 06/06/23
  • da•••• £65,000 06/06/23
  • ma•••• £64,999 06/06/23
  • ma•••• £64,500 06/06/23
  • da•••• £64,000 06/06/23
  • da•••• £63,500 06/06/23
  • ma•••• £63,000 06/06/23
  • da•••• £62,500 06/06/23
  • ma•••• £62,000 06/06/23
  • da•••• £61,500 06/06/23
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.