Lot 207 - 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III Roadster

The Jaguar E-Type was ten years old and needed a new lease of life. History repeated itself and it was a huge success when Jaguar debuted its robust V12 engine in a sports car instead of the saloon for which it was designed. Despite its sports-car heritage, Jaguar depended on saloon vehicles for its survival and had developed the twelve-cylinder engine to power them with sufficient torque and refinement. Larger and softer in nature with weight redistributed 53/47, the Series III had lost the wilds of its youth but gained the long legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited. Robert Bell in Motor was quoted as saying at the time that "all we expected to try was a new engine, but what in fact we drove was a new car. Not a yowling, aggressive Ferrari-like machine with which, perhaps, most people associate a V12 engine, but a very smooth, quiet and refined grand touring sports car".

This genuine UK righthand drive Jaguar E-Type was originally registered on 9^th May 1973 and was used until 1992 when she was put into storage. This one owner Jaguar has only covered a warranted 45,888 miles from new and should not be too difficult to re-commission. We are aware the engine was fired up regularly and after removing the car from the barn where she was stored for 25 years, MYH 628L was transferred to another storage facility. After turning the engine by hand a few times and replacing the fuel together with the battery she fired up instantly. Although in need of re-commissioning the huge attraction of this Series III E-Type is the single ownership and low mileage.

Appearing to be pretty sound although requiring some paintwork, this Jaguar would be transformed with a little time and investment. Supplied with an original factory hardtop, registration document and some invoices, this barn find Jaguar justifies being returned to her former glory.