Highlights

Well known Series III Roadster in superb unrestored condition
UK supplied right hand drive and manual gearbox
Just 2 previous owners from new
Owned by the Seller for 34 years
Always garaged, well maintained and drives beautifully
TV and magazine featured car
Not quite Concours condition, but pretty close!

The Appeal

This is the second of two E Types owned by the Seller over the past 60 years. The first, an early LHD Series 1 Roadster (Chassis 219) was bought brand new in 1966 and driven for several years before it was sold in 1985 as it “was starting to get tatty”. But the E Type seed had been sown, and he started looking for a replacement, ideally a low mileage Series 3 Roadster. With the benefit of a further 10 years of factory development, and with the new 5.3 litre V12, it was destined to tour the Continent so he was looking for the best. After a three year search the right car was found and purchased in 1989 with just 47,000 miles on the clock. Over the following years the E Type has been driven regularly, with numerous drives across Europe, including Le Mans Classic twice, Geneva and several trips to the South of France.

The Seller is a long time member of the Jaguar Driver’s Club the E Type is a well known car and has appeared on Top Gear and Quentin Wilsons The Car’s the Star. In 1998 it was the subject of a four page article in Classic & Sports Car magazine, with a studio photo shoot and detailed history. A copy of the magazine is included; see accompanying photos.

With regular servicing and maintenance the E type has proved itself to be completely dependable; what’s more it has never been restored! Apart from maintenance items the E Type is entirely original except the bonnet which was replaced after the Seller had a small incident involving the garage wall!

It was recently treated to a service, along with a new stainless steel exhaust system, which resulted in an invoice for over £5,000 and it has covered just 189 miles since. Now, having enjoyed being the third owner of the E Type for 34 years, time marches on, and the Seller is keen that it should be driven, and feels the time has come to part with the E Type. As an added bonus it is being offered with the valuable registration JCT 1N included in the sale. It is quite likely that there isn’t another unrestored example as nice as this anywhere, so if you are keen, be bold with your bidding. It will be worth it!

History and Paperwork

Built in October 1972
First registered in January 1973 as HFL 555L
Sold by dealer F P Holdings, Peterborough
Original Service book shows two stamps 1/1/73 and 19/1/73 at 1.176 miles
Purhased by the second owner in May 1973 at 3,000 miles (letter and receipt on file)
Bought by the Seller, third owner, in 1989 at 47,000 miles (advert on file)
Jaguar heritage Trust Certificate issued in 2018
Large history folder of invoices for servicing, parts and general maintenance
Most recently maintained by Classic Restoration Services Ltd, Chichester
Last serviced in August 2021 at a cost of over £5,000 with only 189 miles covered since
Plenty of old MoTs on file verify mileage
V5c in current Owner’s name
Two old V5s from previous owner
Selection of old tax discs
Original Owners plastic wallet
Original Series 3 Operation, Maintenance and Service manual
Original MW/LW/FM radio guide
E Type Series 3 V12 wiring diagram
E type Series 3 V12 maintenance chart
Two faxes from BBC regarding appearance on Top Gear and Star’s the Car
Copy of Classic & Sports car magazine May 1998 with this Jaguar featured on the cover and in a four page definitive guide to the E Type Series 3
Quality fitted car cover included

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The Interior

Excellent black interior
Correct Series 3 high back seats with minor wear
Tidy black carpets

On the inside the Jaguar is presented in very good order. There are no additional gauges or switches, the LW/MW/FM is the original and comes with its User manual. The black carpets are tidy and undamaged, apart from a small wear hole beside the clutch pedal and a little fading around the transmission tunnel. The seats are in equally good condition although we noticed some minor nicks in the material on the driver’s seat, on the outer side of the backrest. The dash is entirely standard with the correct rocker switches. All the gauges appear to function correctly, holding a steady oil pressure with the engine on tick over.

There is a folding wind deflector behind the seats that helps to keep hats/hair in place when powering along the Peage. The roof fits well, folds and stows correctly. We tried to fit the roof cover but it had not been fitted for many years and would need a little stretching to fit, although it is in tidy and undamaged condition.

Opening the boot reveals a very smart luggage area with tan mat. There are a few minor marks but no damage or stains. Beneath the mat there are lift out wood panels that once removed reveal the spare wheel and fuel tank. Again there is no evidence of damp or corrosion. The spare is a correct steel wheel with an unused Runway Enduro tyre. There is a smart, quality car cover, complete tool roll and jack in their original bags.

Overall the interior presents well, with just a few small details that could be easily improved if desired.

The Exterior

Superb and mostly original Pale Primrose paint
Excellent panel fit and gaps
Well fitting black hood with hood cover
All original chrome and trim in great condition

The exterior of the Jaguar is just gorgeous. We spent some time examining it during the photo shoot and we could barely fault it. The Pale Primrose paintwork is excellent although if we were being picky it could look even better with a bottle of polish and a couple of hour’s effort. The panel gaps and shut lines are superb, which is rare on the Jaguars with such long doors and bonnet. The bumpers and chrome trim has no pitting or marks and can only be described as superb.

The 15 inch steel wheels are fitted with the correct Jaguar hubcaps all of which have no dents and a good shine. The wheels themselves have some minor marks on the outer rim where the silver paint has flaked away, but no curb damage. Tyres are lightly used Runway Enduro radials with a thin white band. The white bands are discoloured but we know though experience that they will clean up back brilliant white with a bit of effort.

It is obvious that the Seller has cared for the Jaguar well, and he assures us that although it has been driven regularly, it has spent its life covered in a warm garage, and it shows.

The Mechanics

5.3 litre V12 with four speed manual gearbox
Fresh corrosion-free underside
Clean, tidy and impressive engine bay
Just 189 miles covered since £5,000 service

The Jaguar was running perfectly on the day we visited. We followed it to the photo venue and drove well, drawing admiring glances from all who we passed. And it’s quick! Being a veteran of numerous trips across Europe and monthly visits to Jaguar Driver’s Club meetings the E Type has always been dependable mainly due to regular servicing by a Jaguar specialist. Although in recent months it hasn’t been driven quite as much as in the past it has still received the care and attention it deserves, with the most recent service carried out in August 2021. The invoice is on file, and it was then that the Jaguar was also treated to a new stainless exhaust system. The invoice totals over £5,000, and the Jaguar has covered just 189 miles since.

Lift the bonnet, and you can see that nothing is out of place, with no incorrect hoses, clips or cable ties. The stunning 5.3 litre V12 looks as good today as it would have done in 1973 when it was new. No stains, no drips and very little grime.

Summary

It would not be fair to describe this E Type as a Concours winner as there is age related wear and minor detailing that would need to be carried out to achieve this, but it’s not far off! Remember that this is not a freshly restored car, it is largely original and at 50 years old surely we should expect a little age! A superb example of the ultimate E Type in outstanding condition, complete with a fully documented history.

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.

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