Highlights
- Significant recent expenditure
- Excellent mechanical health
- Heritage certificate present - numbers matching example
- Transferable cherished registration included
- Long-term family ownership
The Appeal
The final iteration of the iconic Jaguar E-Type, the Series 3 cars were introduced in 1971 and remained in production for just three years. Whilst the styling was revised and updated - with the coupé being available only in 2+2 format, and other revisions to the front end marking out the S3 from earlier models - the biggest change was under the bonnet, where the 4.2-litre XK engine was replaced with a 5.3-litre V12 of Jaguar’s own design.
An original UK-delivered, RHD auto example, this E-Type was originally out-shopped in Primrose Yellow, and has been in the care of the current owner’s family for the last 35 years, during which time it has been given a full re-spray in Gunmetal Grey.
Recently, over £11,000 has been spent on bringing the car up to A1 mechanical condition, including a new water pump, new front shock absorbers, a rear sub frame rebuild, and a full brake system overhaul among other works detailed below.
On-the-button, numbers-matching and in mechanical health, this is a fantastic and useable example of the venerable V12-powered E-Type that is fresh from long-term ownership and benefitting from significant recent expenditure.
History/Paperwork
- V5 registered keepers document, showing 7 former keepers
- In same family ownership for 35 years, over 3 keepers
- Strong history folder spanning several generations
- Over £11,000 in recent expenditure
- Jaguar Heritage Certificate present, confirming the car’s provenance
Purchased by the vendor’s late father around 35 years ago, this E-Type is a numbers-matching, UK-delivered example, boasting an unusual and interesting cherished registration that will remain with the vehicle, but can be transferred should the next owner wish to do so.
Whilst in the care of the vendor, the car has been kept as part of his interesting and eclectic collection of high-end classic cars, and has been regularly used, exercised and enjoyed as Jaguar intended.
Maintained in recent years by Newbury-based marque specialist KWE, the 5.3-litre V12 was rebuilt in 2007 by another specialist at a cost of just under £6,700, whilst the paintwork was carried out in 2014 at a cost of £12,000 including the fitment of a new bonnet.
Recent work highlights include a full carburettor strip and rebuild to allow safe usage of E10 fuel, new lines and seals, a fuel tank flush and ethanol-proof fuel lines. New top radiator hoses, distributor, Magnicor leads, high-torque upgraded starter motor, water pump and extensive works to the rear subframe and front suspension components round off the recent maintenance, that has ensured this S3 is in top mechanical shape.
Included with the car is the V5 registered keepers document, the Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirming the car’s original specification and numbers-matching provenance, an extensive back-catalogue of photographs, invoices, documentation and MoT certificates, old tax discs and other miscellaneous paperwork, all of which backs up the notion that this E-Type has been pampered throughout the years.
The pride-and-joy of the vendor’s late father, and subsequently his mother before it came into his ownership, the decision has been made to move on this family heirloom of an E-Type due to a lack of storage space, meaning one lucky bidder will get their hands on a maintained, fettled and numbers-matching E-Type that is ready to enjoy.
The Interior
- Wonderful patina throughout
- Upgraded JVC sound system
- All gauges, systems and switches working as they should be
Inside, the cabin of this E-Type Series 3 displays a delightful patina attesting to years of usage and enjoyment, giving the interior a wonderful character and appearance.
The seats, for example, show some light wear, creasing and patina, but no rips, tears or damage that we could see. The vendor having recently had the nearside front passenger seat repaired, with the cover being stripped and repaired correctly from the inside, with no visible traces of this work having been carried out.
Ahead of the driver, the dashboard is free of any damage or cracks, whilst the high-traffic areas and chrome detailing has some light pitting and patina in keeping with the rest of the cabin’s condition.
Up above, the headliner is showing some wear and slight sagging in areas, particularly at the front of the cabin around the rear-view mirror mounting point. The carpets also show some sign of wear-and-tear, as do the high-traffic areas such as the door cards, steering wheel and shifter, with the inner shifter surround slightly cracked, though the parts are all in the cabin of the vehicle.
Inside the door shuts, there is evidence of the car’s previous Primrose Yellow bodywork, though this is largely hidden in day-to-day usage.
There are no reported faults from the vendor with any of the gauges, switches or systems.
The Exterior
- Gunmetal Grey paintwork
- Bodywork in very good order throughout
- Classic E-Type Lines
On the outside, this Gunmetal Grey E-Type makes a strong statement for being a high-class GT car, and possesses the rare trait of looking like it’s going 100 miles per hour when it is, in fact, standing completely still. The fact it still looks so good just shy of 50 years after it rolled out the factory door is testament to just how ‘right’ Jaguar’s design team got the styling of the E-Type.
Overall, the paintwork is in great condition, displaying only some light commensurate wear such as minor stone chips and light blemishes around the door handles, though there are a couple of paint ‘runs’ or bubbles visible on the boot door.
Elsewhere, the bumpers are in great shape with only some light pitting visible, though the seals around the rear bumper are showing their age in a few places, as are the inner seals on the front doors.
Looking along the flanks of the car, there are no signs of any accident or impact damage that we can see, though the driver’s door alignment would benefit from some adjustment.
All four wheels are in fantastic shape throughout, and are wrapped in matching Pirelli P4000 rubber which the vendor states are ‘barely worn in’ so will give plenty of life and enjoyment for years to come.
The Mechanicals
- Full engine rebuild in 2007
- Extensive recent works by KWE of Newbury
- ‘On the button’ and ready to use, showing strong oil pressure and no smoking
Whilst the styling is gorgeous, the heart of this final-generation E-Type is undoubtedly the 5.3-litre V12 underneath the elongated bonnet, and we’re pleased to report that the engine and its peripherals are all in health.
Firing up instantly and settling immediately into a silky-smooth idle, this E-Type exhibited exemplary behaviour during our photo shoot, with no smoke noted from the exhausts, no strange noises or issues from the engine, and no reported problems from the vendor.
Part of the reason this E-Type is so mechanically excellent is down to the extensive programme of works carried out in recent years, with the following items addressed:
- Full carburettor rebuild and fuel system overhaul to allow safe usage of E10 and other high-ethanol fuels
- New distributor, Magnicor leads and high-torque upgraded starter motor
- New water pump and top radiator hoses
- Removal and refurbishment of the rear sub frame, with new discs and callipers
- New front shock absorbers, D-bushes and brackets
- Full brake system overhaul, using upgraded DOT 5 Silicone brake fluid
Of course, this E-type is exempt from mandatory MoT examinations on account of its age, however the vendor put the car through a test on 21 July 2022, which resulted in a first-time pass with the only advisory item being perishing of both front upper ball joint dust covers.
A video has been recorded with the car starting, showing the oil pressure and running, and this can be supplied upon request.
Summary
Offered from long-term family ownership, maintained irrespective of cost and kept in top mechanical condition throughout its lifetime with documented rebuilds and a wonderful history folder, this is a fantastic opportunity to obtain a numbers-matching, UK-delivered Series 3 E-Type that can be used and enjoyed to its fullest extent, and put one hell of a grin on your face whilst doing so.
Not to be missed!
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