1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

Registration no. YTA 137L Chassis no. 1S1629

Footnotes

'The V12 E-Type was at its best as a long-distance, high-speed tourer. There were few cars which could match its top speed and 120/130mph cruising ability, even amongst the exotica from Italy, and none at all the silence and smoothness of its engine.' – Paul Skilleter, The Jaguar E-Type.

One consequence of the E-Type's long process of development had been a gradual increase in weight, but a good measure of the concomitant loss of performance was restored in 1971 with the arrival of what would be the final version - the Series III V12. Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block 4.2-litre XK six, the new all-alloy, 5.3-litre, overhead-camshaft V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed comfortably in excess of 140mph. Further good news was that the 0-100mph time of around 16 seconds made the V12 the fastest-accelerating E-Type ever.

Other mechanical changes beneath the Series 3's more aggressive looking exterior included ventilated front disc brakes, anti-dive front suspension, Lucas transistorised ignition and Adwest power-assisted steering, while automatic transmission was one of the more popular options on what was now more of a luxury Grand Tourer than out-and-out sports car. Flared wheelarches, a deeper radiator air intake complete with grille, and a four-pipe exhaust system distinguished the Series 3 from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge. The interior though, remained traditional Jaguar.

Built in two-seat roadster and '2+2' coupé versions, both of which used the long-wheelbase floor pan introduced on the Series 2 '2+2', the Series 3 E-Type continued the Jaguar tradition of offering a level of performance and luxury unrivalled at the price.

First registered on 12th January 1973, this Series 3 roadster has belonged to the current owner since 1994 having had only three former keepers. Taken off the road in 2014, the car has since undergone extensive cosmetic restoration that was completed in 2018, though there are no bills available. It benefits from a bare-metal re-spray and new interior trim and hood, and in all other respects is described by the private vendor as in good condition. Accompanying paperwork consists of sundry service and restoration bills, photographs of the bare 'shell prior to repaint, a V5 registration document, DVLA MoT history printout, and a quantity of MoTs for the periods 1979-1994 and 1997-2010.