1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

The Jaguar Legacy Collection.

A carefully collated collection of landmark sporting Jaguars from the past 65 years, each one bringing something special, museum quality, very low mileage, value for money motoring or some simply being the 'best of breed'.

A decade after the Jaguar E-Type arrived, the design progressively matured through various developments until 1971 when the Series 3 was introduced. Designed to showcase the new smooth and torquey 5.3-litre engine, originally developed for Le Mans, the Series 3 cars were available as a Roadster (convertible) or a 2+2 Coupé. These later cars are easily distinguished from their six-cylinder predecessors by the large cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, a pronounced bonnet bulge, updated bumpers, four exhaust tips and a badge on the rear that proclaims it to be a V12. It also featured uprated brakes, power steering as standard and a large horizontal scoop added to the underside of the bonnet to assist with cooling.

The interior was entirely new in the V12, with more comfortable seating, stylish new door panels and a smaller, dished and leather-rimmed steering wheel. Being slightly larger and altogether much softer in nature, the E-Type in Series 3 form had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long-legged touring profile, to which it was arguably better suited. Approximately 7,990 Series 3 Roadsters were sold worldwide before production ceased in 1975.

We are pleased to offer this original 1973 UK-supplied, right-hand drive, automatic E-Type Series 3 Roadster which, according to its Jaguar Heritage Certificate, was built on 23rd October 1973, finished in Azure Blue with a dark blue interior and dispatched to Lex Motors of Chelmsford on 6th November 1973. Purchased from us in 2020 and prior to our then vendor, the Jaguar has been enjoyed by four owners, the most recent of which kept it in his private Collection. It appears to have been hardly used over recent years as the MOT Certificate from August 2009 shows 53,712 miles and the odometer indicates 54,638 miles currently.

In some colours, the Series 3 can look a little portly, however this striking shade of Azure Blue really suits the car and when complemented by the navy blue soft top and tonneau, the chrome wire wheels and the refurbished Cinnamon interior, this is a very good looking E-type. Shut lines and bonnet fit are to factory standard and the chrome work and detailing look showroom fresh.

The car is accompanied by an operating, maintenance and service handbook, the wiring diagram, a maintenance/ lubrication wall chart in the original pouch, the Heritage Certificate, its V5C and a fresh MOT.

This exceptionally well presented Series 3 is in a delightful colour combination and would grace any Collection of classic Jaguars.