The E-type first made its appearance onto the world’s stage in March 1961 at the Geneva Auto Salon, in which it stole the show and every headline! When Enzo Ferrari called the car “the most beautiful car ever made” you understand why these cars are appreciated around the globe, even 60+ years later that still rings true. 

Although the story of the E-Type started long before its release, as you can quite clearly see the influence taken from the D-Type Le Man’s racer, with its sleek lines and aerodynamics.

Though it retained the name and overall look of earlier (S1 & S2) models (and a handful of pre-production cars were built with 4.2-litre engines), the Series 3 V12 was a very different car.

It was less road-racer and more luxury cruiser, but with pace to match or even exceed its predecessors, delivered with smoothness and sophistication.

Frustrated by the American market’s obsession with cubic inches and V8s, which put many off buying an E-type due to it having ‘only’ six cylinders despite its superb performance, Jaguar dusted off an old four-cam alloy V12 Le Mans engine proposal, gave it compact single-cam heads and squeezed it under the E-type bonnet; the 5.3 V12 is just 39kg heavier than the 4.2 ‘six’.

Extended wheel arches accommodate a wider track and wheels with low-profile tyres; the original short wheelbase was dropped; the roadster body being stretched to fit the same wheelbase as the 2+2 fixed-head. The vast majority of panels were different, especially on the roadster.

Sourced locally from its garage time capsule! This Jaguar has just 2 local owners, with the last keeper purchasing the car on 20th April 1978.

The Jaguar was used by its former keeper as a ” Fair Weather / Special Occasion Car ” and is showing just 37,000 miles.

In 1990 the Jaguar was placed into its time capsule heated garage, with the intention of being restored to ‘Showroom‘condition, unfortunately ill health prevented this happening. Prior to entering the time capsule, I the previous keeper took it upon himself to drain all the fluids and cover the whole car with a wax preservation treatment. 

The car was then lifted off the floor and placed onto blocks, this allowed the weight of the car to be off the suspension. This example is just 1 of 24 UK right hand drive cars, as most were shipped overseas, making them left hand drive vehicles.

This is matching numbers car as certified by Jaguar Heritage Trust (certificate included) which was supplied to Fletchers of Swansea, September 1971!

The car comes with the old style V5 logbook, Drivers operating, maintenance and service handbook, along with a genuine repair workshop manual.

The interior is in lovely condition. Although the first thing you notice once you step inside the cockpit is that infamous long bonnet. There really isn’t a sight like it and it’s become synonymous with the E-type. Everything works inside as it should and it really is a nice place to be. The interior is in lovely condition and the seats are comfortable. 

Something to note is that this one has the optional extras fitted to it, including heated rear window, radio mobile Radio with Electronic Ariel and inertia Seat belts which is a nice little added bonus.

Pale Primrose Yellow suits this car down to the ground. The E-Type turns heads wherever it goes. The car also comes with the optional extra Chrome Plated Wire Spoke Wheels which, again are synonymous with the E-Type and classy cars of that time-period. The paint work does require attention as you can see. There are a few issues over the car.

When the car was put in the garage for a period of time, it was coated with preservation wax, this can be found all over the car, on the sills, by the filler cap and under the bonnet. Although this is a little bit of an eye sore it surely has saved the car from any serious rust or rotting. There are also bits of bubbling paint, and poor repainted areas such as the bonnet , osr wheel arch, nsr wheel arch, ns door etc. Underneath both rear wheel arches the paint has come off completely and the under the bonnet does require some attention.

There are a couple of dents on the ns door, osr b pillar/roof.  Regardless of that, it doesn’t take away from how wonderful and historic this car looks. Globally recognised and appreciated this car will still turn heads, if not with its looks, certainly with its noise!

The car starts and stops but is running “rough”. This will need some attention. The car started first time, every time during photography without hesitation, and there were no signs of leaks, or smoke! The goes into each gear with no problem at all and the noise of the wonderful V12 is magical!

The white wall spare wheel in the boot is something to behold!

Some cars don’t need introducing, the E-Type Jaguar is certainly up there in the elite bracket. The youth of today will recognise it and the older generation shall reminisce about it as you drive past with the V12 roar. Is this car perfect, no, unfortunately not, it does require some work. But with the right knowhow and some tlc this car could be top of its class once again. 

Being kept in a barn or garage for years isn’t where this car deserves to be. It deserves to be part of a collection and enjoyed on sunny days or early morning breakfast car meets, so other enthusiasts can enjoy looking and hearing one of the most iconic sports car of all time! There are a very few cars that are timeless, and this is certainly one of them. 

This used to be the fastest car in the world, although it may not be now, its still one of the most beautiful.........Even Enzo Ferrari agrees!