The Series 3 E-type was launched in 1971, to address the need to provide more space and power to Jaguar's iconic E-type. 

The racing-derived engine was added to the stretched platform offering a softer suspension set-up that lent itself perfectly for long-distance cruising. Along with the additional boot space and room for two children, the proposition for a V12 family car never looked more appealing.

Presented as a highly sophisticated and useful 1970s performance car, the 5.3 V12 Series 3 is often considered one of the most straightforward routes to V12 ownership, and given the brand's heritage support and massive network of support, keeping an E-Type on the road can be resolved with little more than a few click of a computer mouse. 

Often seen as the entry-level point to E-Type ownership, its merits today are highlighted due to its better brakes, smoother ride and power delivery, as well as its improved practicality and interior space.

Ever dreamed of finding a project that has seen the benefits of many new parts, new paint and what is confirmed to be an engine that starts up? Then this 1971 S3 2+2 V12 coupe might be the ideal solution. 

Listed as a garage find, the car has been in storage for 41 years but has seen a considerable amount of work in the last 10. Its presentation is positive, with a very good interior and engine visuals that would embarrass a show car. 

The car has very little in terms of paperwork, but the Jaguar Heritage trust has confirmed it to be genuine. 

This UK spec RHD car was purchased in Middlesbrough through a Renault dealer in 1981 by its previous owner and as the car was not much more than 11 years old at the time, it may suggest that the car would have been in a reasonable state. 

Believed to have been initially bought as a working car that eventually became a project, it has covered just 90 miles over a 41-year period and had remained in the owner's garage for at least 30 years until its work was started in earnest. 

It’s quite possible that the engine was periodically started prior to its restoration and parts were clearly collected but sadly conclusive proof has been lost in time. 

The owner had started the restoration process in the early part of the 2010s, which almost certainly included an engine rebuild, new paint and judging by the volume of new parts, extensive work to its running gear. 

A general inspection reveals that the car does appear to be robust with a presentable engine and a very clean and complete interior, so the owner has clearly made good progress until ill health forced the sale of the car. 

It is currently in the hands of a Jaguar specialist, who has given the car a rudimentary check, which includes a positive report that the engine turns over and fires up and the car can be moved easily, suggesting that the brakes are free. 

Unfortunately, the previous owner did not retain much in terms of its provenance, so the car lacks any meaningful evidence of work other than a couple of invoices from 2012. 

The V5 will need to be applied for, which may mean that the car might have to be re-registered, however, the specialist has obtained the production record trace certificate number from the Jaguar Heritage Trust, which proves that this is a 1971 Series 3 V12 and the car has its chassis, body, engine and gearbox number intact. 

The car also comes with a repair manual, reproduction handbook and parts catalogue. 

A pleasant surprise is the cohesive presentation of the interior, and it betrays the status of the car as a project and adds credibility to its low recorded mileage. 

This strongly suggests that it may have been in good shape when the owner bought the car some 41 years ago, but again any observations will be based on their current condition rather than any assumptions. 

The seats show typical age-related use, but bearing in mind that the car had not seen much more than 11 years worth of road use, they have worn well and are free from any significant damage. 

The dashboard is in very good shape, with minor signs of age noted on the edges and corners of the facia but certainly nothing that would look out of place on any other road-going example. 

The centre console is in a similar state and would clean up well. The majority of the plastic switches have lasted well and are in good shape, while their functionality cannot be attested, there’s no reason why an investigation shouldn't yield positive results. 

The car is also fitted with a full set of dials, which again have not been tested but are in visually good condition with limited signs of wear. The car is fitted with a period Motorola cassette radio player. 

The steering wheel and the gearstick reflect the age of the car, with the lever showing surface rust. Its gaiter is undamaged. 

The roof lining is good, with nothing more than a handful of light scuffs to detract from their positive appearance. 

The carpeting is in very good condition, with limited signs of wear, not needing much more than a clean. They were all dry with no suggestions of water ingress. The door cards are in very good shape with no signs of wear on the blue vinyl. 

The vinyl is a running theme in the car with covers much of the interior trim panels and all appear to be in decent condition, with the boot area looking tidy with a little loose trim noted around the door aperture. 

A review of the structure doesn’t reveal any immediate horrors, with every aspect of the metal looking like it has seen a level of attention at some point. 

The external view of the bulkhead and area around the battery appears to be solid, with a visual check of the chassis rails appearing to be able to support the weight of the engine with no issues. 

The floor pan has been coated with a thick layer of rust inhibitor, but it appears to be solid with decent sills and inner wings. The car was hand pushed forward for the photos and there were no issues with opening or closing the passenger doors, although the nearside door needed a little more effort to close. 

The car did not creak as it was pushed. The rear suspension mounts look solid. Another promising sign is the positive results of the inspection of the boot floor, which should add some confidence. 

Externally the car presents quite well, but the bottom edges of the doors and bonnet are not flush perhaps needing adjustment but do display a reasonably even panel gap. 

The outer sills show minor distortion too, but the wheel arches, roof and rear wings appear to be straight. The boot and bonnet panels are in good shape and both open without issues. 

The car is free from dents or any evidence of open corrosion, which underlines the car's indoor storage for much of its life. 

It has been confirmed to have received new paint in 2012 (there may be photos available in due course of this process) and appears to be of a decent standard with a good lustre and no significant thinness or runs. 

There is a small crack on the nearside rear which has seen a poorly applied repair but overall the colour match and coverage of the paint looks presentable. The actual colour is slightly darker than the original factory hue but suits the car quite well. 

What really helps the car's visual appearance is the fact that it is complete with all of its trim, which on the whole has lasted well. 

The chrome parts, such as the bumpers, grille, headlamp bezels and detailing show minor signs of age but are of good quality. The glass and their respective rubbers are good, with no significant signs of perishing noted on the door rubbers. 

The passenger door rubber is not currently fitted on the car but is in one of two boxes full of spares. Another highlight is the fully operational webasto roof. The actual fabric is in very good shape, and the roof frame looks solid. 

All of the light clusters are in good, with no cracked or damaged lenses. 

The wheels are in a decent state, with minor signs of age. The wheel trims are presentable with minor tarnishing. The tyres despite their indeterminable age, show a healthy level of tread, although the rear items reveal sidewall wear.

The car has not travelled much more than 90 miles under its own power since 1981, so it would be difficult to verify the working condition of the engine.

However, it was proven to turn over and fire up, suggesting that the fuel delivery and ignition process is functional. The engine did not catch, so will at least need some form of carburettor tuning. 

While it was briefly running the V12 sounded smooth with no misfiring, grinding or knocks in the engine which bodes well. 

The current owner has spent a little time fettling just to ensure that the engine is capable of firing up, but he prefers to state that it will turn over and beyond that, is up to the new owner to investigate. 

In keeping with the rest of the car, the engine presentation suggests that the previous owner spent a considerable amount of time on the engine, looking like it has been rebuilt. 

The evidence of its general condition as well as what appears to be a high percentage of new parts gives credibility to the dedication of the previous owner’s attempts to get the car in a drivable state. 

The stainless steel exhaust is in good condition and the battery looks to be hardly used and has no problem in its part in supplying a spark to the engine. 

Other electronic components seem to be fit for purpose but again will need proper investigation. 

The cooling parts like the fan and radiator are in very clean condition with no evidence of coolant leaks and complemented by a set of intact hoses. The car moves freely with no binding and appears to have intact brake lines, while their performance cannot be verified, they’re unlikely to need much more than servicing. 

Furthermore, the running gear and rear axle, particularly suspension and steering parts look like they’ve not seen much of the open road but were also subject to a rebuild. 

The gearbox and clutch operation are unknown but the gears do select and the clutch is said to be connected. 

This is the case where the images will do all of the convincing for you, which outlines that this car is a reasonable well-restored example and has seen a considerable amount of spending. 

For the mechanically minded, this S3 provides a perfect opportunity to test out your investigation skills but given the general presentation and evidence of new parts, it offers a fascinating opportunity for a rewarding recommissioning project.