1972 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster

Jaguar introduced the E-Type in March 1961 to worldwide acclaim. Early forays into motor sport were rewarded in May of that year when Graham Hill celebrated the type's first win at Oulton Park. Success on the track was reflected on the road and was to continue right up to 1974 with over 70,000 E-Types eventually produced in Coventry. From 1961, the E-Type evolved and improved throughout its lifecycle from the original Series 1 Coupés and Roadsters, through the Series 2 cars of the late 1960s until finally the Series 3 arrived in late 1971, this 5.3 V12 being only available as a convertible or a '2+2'. Approximately 7,990 Series 3 convertibles were sold worldwide before production ceased.

Manufactured on 15th November 1972, this original UK right-hand drive E-Type Series III V12 roadster was delivered to a Mr R. E. Wray by Botswood of Ipswich, Suffolk, bearing registration 'URT 264L'.

Two owners before our vendor, the car was exported from the UK to Europe, and the then custodian owned it for 17 years before passing the baton onto the next owner who purchased the car in 2005. A year later, it was decided that the roof needed replacing, so a new hood was sourced and fitted. In 2007, the car was stripped back to bare metal, any necessary body repairs were undertaken, and the whole car was fully resprayed.

After a number of years of routine maintenance and service work, it was time to have the heart of this 'big cat' examined, and so at the beginning of 2015 the engine was taken out and dismantled, ready for a full inspection and rebuild. Work included:

Disassembling and full overhaul of gearbox

New clutch & release bearing

New water pump

Renewal of carburettors, nozzle needles and nozzle holder

New timing chain, chain wheels & adjuster

New stud bolts on exhaust side of both cylinder heads

Renewal of valves & guides, and machined valve seats

Reground cylinder head

Polishing of crankshaft and renewal of crankshaft bearings.

New pistons & bushes

Along with the comprehensive engine overhaul, other areas of the car were fettled to ensure the rejuvenated car looked as good as it performed. This work totalled more than 25,000 Euros and there are photographs accompanying the history file, as a well as a Jaguar Heritage Certificate.

Since purchasing the car, our vendor has now had it UK registered and it now wears the registration '8668 BY' and a MoT certificate gained. The interior has been fully re-trimmed in black leather, a new exhaust fitted and other routine service work carried out to ensure this lovely V12 E-type looks even better. For many years the Series 3 lagged behind its older siblings in terms of desirability but no more, and the fruits of many hours of labour can be enjoyed with this E-Type Series III.