1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

• First registered in the UK
• Purchased in Germany in 2015
• Original UK registration
• Automatic transmission
• Brakes renewed recently

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. Jaguar's new engine could not have enjoyed a more fortuitous parentage, having been designed by Walter Hassan and Harry Mundy, two of the most experienced and respected engineers in the industry. Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block, 4.2-litre XK six it superseded, the new all-alloy, 5.3-litre V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed comfortably in excess of 140mph.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.

Beneath the skin, ventilated front discs improved braking power and the front suspension gained anti-dive geometry. Lucas transistorised ignition and Adwest power-assisted steering were now standard, 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 III from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge. The interior though, remained traditional Jaguar.

The V12-engined Series III would turn out to be the final edition of this charismatic and most coveted of British sports cars, and when production ceased in 1975 over 15,000 of this last-of-the-line model had been produced.

Finished in blue with black leather interior, this E-Type V12 Roadster was first registered on 4th June 1974. Restored over time, 'RSG 813M' is known to have been in Twickenham in 2001 and in Dresden, Germany in 2010. Our vendor purchased the E-Type at a auction in Germany in 2015 and has retrieved the original UK registration. Accompanying documentation consists of copies of an old UK V5; old logbooks and EU registration papers; German DEKRA certificate; a V5C Registration Certificate; and post-2015 invoices from R A Creamer. Unfortunately, Messrs Creamer's invoice for renewing the brakes has been mislaid. The car also comes with a few tools, a jack, and a new spare wheel and is ready for use.