1973 Jaguar E-Type Series lll V12 Roadster

A decade after the Jaguar E-Type Series l arrived, the design progressively matured through 1971 with the introduction of the Series III. Designed to showcase the new smooth and torquey 5.3-litre engine, originally developed for Le Mans, the Series III cars were available as a "Roadster' (convertible) or a '2+2' Coupé. The Series lll is easily identifiable by having a large cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, a larger 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 III 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 lll Roadsters were sold worldwide before production ceased in 1975.

The car presented here is a right-hand drive 5.3 V12, manual Roadster which was first registered on the 1st October 1973. It was delivered new through the Byatts of Fenton group to its first owner, Mr Frank Caulkin of Caulkins Transport, based in Market Drayton. He owned it until December 2002 when he sold it to his associate Mr David Riley. Mr Riley was an avid Jaguar Enthusiast Club member but used the car infrequently, and when he passed away in 2016, his beloved Jaguar became the property of his Godson, our proud vendor today. The car survives as a matching-numbers example being configured from the factory in the most sought-after Series lll specification.

With just three owners since 1973, two being in the same "family', and living in Market Drayton for the last 43 years, this fabulous E-Type has, never before, been for sale on the open market. Showing an indicated mileage of approximately 67,000, which from paperwork in the history file including 15 MoT Certificates, may well be correct. From these certificates, the car would appear to have travelled just 5,737 miles in the last 24 years! Pleasingly, it retains many original features, including a very rare hardtop, and still wears its original registration plates.

In the history file there are receipts for approximately £1,500 from 2002 and 2003 to show that the car was worked on by the well-regarded Jaguar specialist John Seddon of "Ivydene' in Betley, Crewe. Further receipts totalling approximately £2,500 from 2003 and 2004 show additional maintenance was carried out by a firm in Stoke-on-Trent. There is also an album of photographs documenting a thorough bodywork restoration carried out prior to these dates. Additional photographs from 2003 show the car was in very presentable and attractive condition at this point, when it's thought that it was dry-stored, and used infrequently, but kept MoT'd each year. The car today, presents honestly but is in need of some recommissioning and care. It is offered at a sensible guide price to allow for these improvements which, when completed, along with its lovely family history, will make this a truly exceptional example of this legendary marque.