Highlights
- High-end 2021 restoration by Rushton Classic Engineering
- Invoices on file totaling in excess of £133,456 (including purchase)
- Offered with a competitive reserve
- Just 1,600 miles since completion
- Popular gunmetal grey metallic over burgundy colour scheme
- Tasteful blend of early aesthetics and later luxury and performance
- One of only 22 cars fitted from the factory with an electric metal sunroof
- Uprated with modern air conditioning and 5-speed manual box
The Appeal
The E-Type evolved. The early and late cars both have fine qualities beloved of enthusiasts. For those seeking the perfect blend of all those models, you may just have found it.
Beautifully finished in popular gunmetal grey metallic over a burgundy leather cabin, this highly restored Series 3 mixes early aesthetics with later performance alongside some choice modern enhancements. The result is a true ‘one off’ that both looks amazing and drives exceptionally well.
The work was undertaken by renowned specialists Rushton Engineering at considerable expense using one of the last LHD FHC cars as a starting point. That car featured an extremely rare steel sliding sunroof, which has of course been retained. It was fully restored and resprayed, including interior retrim. The mechanicals and running were also comprehensively overhauled. The result is a car featuring the desirable fared-in lights of the early cars with similar Series 1 touches to the interior. The modern upgrades include air conditioning and a 5spd gearbox. It is a delight to explore the photographs - look out for the ‘ejector switch.’ The car has only covered 1,600 miles since the work was finished.
E-Types rarely come to market with the provenance and specification of this one. It is a collector quality car and we don’t think you’ll find another.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1973
- VIN ‘U’ and ‘D’ prefixes show this was a USA market 1973 model year car
- Heritage certificate included
- Three registered keepers since returning to the UK in June 2019
- One of the last LHD FHC cars built - 393rd from last
- One of only 22 cars supplied with factory steel sliding sunroof
- Rotisserie restoration completed by Rushton Classic Engineering in 2021
- Full photographic record of restoration works
- Converted to RHD during the restoration process
The Condition
- Beautiful Opalescent Gunmetal grey metallic paintwork refinished to high standard in 2021
- Bodywork fully restored which is shown in photographs
- Series 3 aesthetics adapted to fared in headlights
- Fitted with fluted exhaust tailpipe
- Red leather interior, carpets, and headlining trimmed to match the main hide
- Fitted with headrests, front inertia, and rear lap belts trimmed in classic webbing
- Chrome wire wheels on whitewalls with three-ear spinners present well
- Cabin blends early aesthetics with later luxury including engine-turned aluminium trim
- White Smiths dials and converted to early Series 1 toggle switchgear
- Equipped with air conditioning neatly integrated into cabin
- Classic style modern stereo with rear camera
- Intriguing ‘ejector’ switch
- Large and very rare sliding steel factory-fitted sunroof
- Underside in very good order reflecting restoration and sparing use
This restored Series 3 is quite the visual treat. Opalescent gunmetal grey metallic over burgundy is one of the most appealing colour combinations for E-Types. This car has been finished to an exceptionally high standard by Rushton, the subsequent sparing use ensuring it arrives on the market much as it did when it was completed in 2021.
The detailing is a feast for enthusiasts. On the nose are cleverly fared in headlights and a mesh grille, aping the original early cars, while inside there is a fully retrimmed cabin blending early, late and modern features. These include engine-turned aluminium trim, Series 1 toggles and smart white-faced Smiths dials. There is a modern classic-style stereo, air conditioning and even an ejector switch!
The condition inside is impeccable, reflecting the high-quality work and very sparing use.
The Mechanics
- Fully rebuilt 5.3litre V12 engine on carburettors
- Converted to 5spd manual gearbox
- Uprated with modern air conditioning and directional blowers
- Adjustable dampers for improved ride comfort
- Just 1,600 miles covered since restoration completed
- Full mechanical and running gear rebuild during high-end restoration
For many, the V12 was the engine that the E-Type was built for. It is one of the greatest engines of the last 60 years and transforms cars like this one into proper long-legged GT cars. This car leans into that theme with its conversion to 5spd manual gearbox, which makes high speed cruising considerably more relaxing.
The mechanicals and running gear were fully rebuilt by Rushton during restoration. With only 1,600 miles completed since this car is in very good mechanical order and barely used.
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
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