Property of a deceased's estate
1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

• Delivered new to California, USA
• Long-term single-family ownership in the USA
• Left-hand drive
• Automatic transmission
• Present ownership since 2014 (it is believed)

Testing the E-Type Series III back in 1972, Road & Track magazine reckoned the new V12 power unit, "a sheer delight, by itself almost worth the price of admission. The V12 is a lovely piece of machinery, lovely to listen to and lovely to behold... The idle is smooth and quiet with none of the mechanical busyness one normally experiences from the likes of a Ferrari or Lamborghini V12. And the smoothness lingers throughout the rev range".

This superior refinement would have counted for little had the Series 3 proved slower than its predecessors, but the new V12 engine was more than powerful enough to offset the weight gain over the preceding 4.2-litre XK six and ensure that performance was undiminished. Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block six that it replaced, the all-alloy, 5.3-litre, overhead-camshaft V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed well 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 III from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge. The interior, though, remained typically Jaguar, and the Series 3 E-Type continued the company tradition of offering a level of performance and luxury unrivalled at the price.

It is believed that the late owner purchased this Primrose Yellow V12 E-Type from a UK auction in 2014. At that time the catalogue description stated that the car had been in the same family's ownership since delivery to California in 1973. It was said that for the entirety of its life in the USA, the car had been carefully stored in a heated garage. Having spent most of its life in that State's warm climate, the body showed no signs of rust and the soft top had remained unmarked, testament to its infrequent use. The then vendor stated that the car drove well, remarking that the engine bay was very clean and the paint in excellent condition. He also commented that the beige leather interior was in first class order. Notable features include air conditioning, power steering and automatic transmission.