1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster - ex-Noel Edmonds

UK-supplied on the 11th April 1974 in Signal Red with automatic gearbox and hard top

Owned between 1998 and 2001 by noted car enthusiast Noel Edmonds

Bought by our vendor in 2008 who has spent some £30,000, with a full service in 2017

Works included a full bare metal respray, mechanical overhaul and re-trimmed interior

Zeirbarted from new, the multiple concours winner has its hard-top and trophies included

The odometer shows some 31,229 miles. Offered with the very apt 'JAG 407' it's worn since 1986.

The Series III was the final incarnation of the iconic Jaguar E-Type. Launched in 1971, it was fitted with a silky smooth 5.3-litre, V12 engine and was offered as a 2+2 Coupé or an open-top Roadster. Boasting a longer wheelbase, larger and better brakes, and power steering, all as standard, it was a great swansong for one of the 20th Century's greatest cars. Success in the American market was dependent, to a great extent, on the car being fitted with an automatic gearbox, and by far the vast majority were so equipped, the E-Type now, more relevant as a comfortable grand tourer.

This car was despatched to Hewitt's Garages, Wolverhampton on the 20th March 1974 in Signal Red, with dark blue leather and 3-speed Borg Warner automatic gearbox. The accompanying Heritage Certificate does not confirm if the factory supplied the hard top, but neither does the Certificate confirm the soft top colour. It was initially registered with YDA 888M and on the 26th June 1986, it was given the beautifully apt JAG 407 prefix, for 407 cubic inches, the plate it still wears today and is generously included.

Between 12th December 1998 and 30th July 2001, JAG 407 was to form a part of Noel Edmond's car collection. Mr Edmonds was at the height of his prime-time television dominance at the time and he knew a good car when he saw one, famously having owned a 1965 Ford GT40. Mr Edmonds was quoted in the Sunday Times in 2015 where he explained his fondness for the E-Type: "There was a guy in the next road to me who had an E-Type and he always seemed to have lots of gorgeous girlfriends. That might have been one of the reasons I wanted one."

Our vendor, a long-standing client of Silverstone Auctions, bought JAG 407 in 2008 and added it to his eclectic collection of classics that have included a KTM X-Bow, Sir David Jason"s Golf Cabriolet, an XK120, and a 190 SL, among many others. In 2015, the car was subjected a full bare metal respray, by Cotswold Classic Car Restorations in Cirencester who were retained to do the work as they had maintained our vendor"s cars in the past. As the car was Zeibarted from new, the workshop found no rust to the body, and breathing a sigh of relief, moved to preparing the car for painting. Subtle upgrades included the fitting of an engine pre-heating system and finally, JAG 407 was treated to an interior re-trim. The bill came to some £27,000 in 2015 and in July 2017 further servicing and maintenance was carried out, in exchange for an additional £3,994.

Used for fair weather trips to Goodwood and to various Car Club and Concours events, normally returning home with a trophy or two, this sparkling E-Type has covered less than 2,000 miles since its purchase in 2008 and now shows less than 32,000 miles today. The hard top looks very smart and adds a hitherto unusual dimension to the graceful lines of the Series III, although one cannot imagine the car being taken out in weather that might necessitate its use.

Our vendor will regretfully present JAG 407 to auction with the hardtop, detailed history file, a fresh MoT, recent bills, and many fond memories.