• Over £20,000 recently spent
• Rebuilt engine and gearbox
• Many new parts including all suspension and brakes
• Smooth and reliable runner
• Lots of paperwork! 

The Jaguar E-Type has justly earned its position in the annals of all-time greats in the performance car universe. Back when it was new, it helped enormously that the E-Type was relatively inexpensive for a sports car; at launch in 1961 it cost £2,160, whereas its rivals at Aston Martin were selling for twice that. And of course, there’s the simple fact that it looked astonishing, all slinky curvaceousness and sublime proportions.

Over the years, the model evolved across three distinct generations, and the car we have here – the V12-powered Series 3 – was the E-Type’s last hurrah before being replaced by the XJ-S in 1975. Introduced in ’71, this generation boasted the fresh new 5.3-litre engine along with uprated brakes and power steering.

The short-wheelbase fixed-head coupe bodystyle was discontinued, with the Series 3 being offered solely as a roadster or a 2+2. The latter, with its spacious boot and surprisingly roomy interior, was the quintessential early-seventies grand tourer: effortlessly powerful, impeccably stylish, generously equipped and beautiful to behold. A fitting coda to an incomparable legend.

The current owner has had this car in his possession for around four years.

A serial owner and enthusiast of quality automobiles, he’s very much of the mindset that one doesn’t buy a classic car without bearing in mind the jobs it requires and finessing it may demand; with that in mind, he bought the best car he could find in terms of value and potential, and then set about rejuvenating it.

Over £20,000 has been spent on improving this E-Type in the last few years, and mechanically-speaking it’s superb. Much of the work has been carried out by The Jag Shop, London’s leading independent Jaguar specialist, and no stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of making this a solid, usable and enjoyable E-Type.

The engine and gearbox were rebuilt, the suspension and brakes renewed – while it wasn’t a full strip-down resto, it wasn’t far off; think of it as a comprehensive mechanical overhaul.

It’s been properly used throughout his tenure too; lengthy road trips to Wales and Amsterdam and all sorts, and the car’s always proven itself to be reliable, dependable and fun. So why sell? Quite simply, there are other cars in the collection demanding his attention, so it’s time for someone else to enjoy this thoroughly characterful V12 cruiser.

There is a huge pile of paperwork that documents all of the work that’s been carried out on the E-Type and tells a colourful story of its past, along with the V5. Selected pieces of this monumental file are in the gallery, however, should you wish to see the complete file, this is available from our Auction Support Team.

This car has a lovely interior, and it’s largely as it was when the current owner bought it – it’s possible that the seats have been retrimmed in the past, as the leather is in superb condition with no marks, holes, tears or undue wear.

The seats both tilt forward correctly to allow access to the rear bench, which is also in great condition, as are the carpets and doorcards. The owner has had a new headlining professionally fitted.

The dash is in good order, and is all original save for the aftermarket Kenwood CD/radio head unit that’s been installed. The dash-top is free from cracks, and all of the correct switchgear and instrumentation is in place with all the gauges functional.

The windows wind up and down correctly, the steering wheel is in tidy condition, and the centre console is undamaged. It’s all tidy and dry inside the boot, although unfortunately the tailgate cannot presently be opened to access it (see next section).

On the whole, a very pleasant and tidy interior, with its condition in keeping with what is believed to be a genuine mileage of 73,000.

Any E-Type is an attractive thing to behold, and the Series 3 looks particularly striking in this tasteful shade of Old English White. And it’s pleasing to note that all of the correct details are in place: the chrome trim, the badges, it’s all present and in good condition; the light lenses and window glass are all good too, and the chrome bumpers are in very good order with just a very light patination.

The owner has also had a new Webasto sunroof fitted, and this works perfectly and seals properly.

With the mechanicals and the interior of the car being so good, the exterior is probably the bit that a new owner would want to focus on; while it would be perfectly reasonable to simply jump in the Jag and start enjoying it (and it would be extremely happy to do so), the new owner may be the type to draw up a to-do list, and there are a few little things here that could populate that list.

The bonnet mountings could do with a little adjustment, as you can see in the photos here that it doesn’t quite sit straight; it does latch securely, so just needs a gentle realignment.

In the main, the car does appear to be a very solid and corrosion-free example; the eagle-eyed will spot a little very minor surface bubbling along the door bottoms, along with the odd area of surface corrosion in the lower front arches ahead of the wheels, and in the rear arches and rear valance.

There are also a couple of cracks in the paint on the roof, and it’s worth noting that the tailgate mechanism will require some attention as the boot cannot currently be opened.

Don’t let these minor blemishes coalesce to paint the car in a bad light, however. This is a beautifully presented E-Type, and with some money spent on the bodywork to get it up to the standard of the mechanicals and the interior, this would be a truly stunning example.

The running gear of this Jaguar is its party piece. The V12 is a fabulously sonorous and muscular thing, and with the engine and transmission recently rebuilt, this E-Type is running like a dream.

It fires easily on the first turn of the key, idles evenly, pulls strongly through the revs, and the gearbox is smooth and slick.

The owner reports that it’s a joy to drive, and has been absolutely dependable on all of his various lengthy tours and road trips.

The suspension and brakes have all been gone through and renewed, there’s a new ignition setup, and a new radiator and fans have been fitted. Everything is just as it should be, with the E-Type fulfilling its grand tourer credentials with flair and panache as well as straight-down-the-line efficiency.

Indeed, the only mechanical issue of note is that the heater doesn’t work, although that shouldn’t be too complex to remedy – the only reason the owner hasn’t done it is that the mighty V12 acts as a pretty effective heater by itself!

This lovely V12 Jag has a number of supremely attractive qualities. There’s the way that it runs and drives, with just the effortless demeanour you’d hope for. 

There’s the cosseting and tasteful nature of the interior, transporting you back to the 1970s with its myriad period charms. There’s the beautiful profile, surely one of the prettiest car designs ever penned. 

But the most attractive element is that all of the expensive stuff has already been done: the rebuilt drivetrain, the fully overhauled chassis, it’s all on the button and ready to rock. 

It would only take a modest further investment in the aesthetics to make this E-Type absolutely tip-top. Of course, you might not want to do that – you might wish simply to slip into the driver’s seat and head for the horizon… and who could blame you? 

This is an eminently usable example of a timeless and desirable formula. Not just a car, but an icon and a lifestyle.