Jaguar E-Type S3 V12 Roadster

Launched in 1971, the Series 3 V12 was the last and most luxurious of the E-Type range with a wider track, longer wheelbase, bigger tyres, revised suspension and a more spacious cockpit. Much better proportioned than the earlier 2+2 E-Types, it had a beautifully muscular form and was easily a match for anything that the Italians had to offer and is still surprisingly undervalued by comparison.

Weighing just a few pounds more than the smaller XK 4.2 engine it replaced, the alloy blocked 5.3-litre V12 produced only slightly more power (272 instead of 265bhp) but vastly more torque (349 instead of 283lb/ft). This results in a quite different driving experience: gone is the XK snarl, replaced by quiet thunder and a sense of huge momentum in place of raw acceleration. Despite its size and complexity, the V12 has also got an enviable reputation for unburstable reliability. In manual form, the 0 - 60mph benchmark is dispatched in just 6.3 seconds and 145mph is only a squeeze of the right foot away – even today, it is hard to imagine a more desirable car in which to cross a continent.

This particular V12 Roadster Automatic is a truly remarkable example that has covered just 12,150 miles from new. It has been in the current ownership for the last 29 years and has had just four keepers in total, all in the Wolverhampton area (although the vendor, a retired garage proprietor, had it registered in his mother’s name until 2005). When he acquired it in August 1982, the car had just 10,076 miles on the clock and it has been used only very sparingly in the last three decades. Apart from a repaint of the left rear wing to repair a small dent sustained in storage, it is highly original and unrestored and is in excellent condition throughout.

The car comes with a good history file charting its ownership history and mileage, including 13 old MOTs, the original owner’s handbook and Passport to Service book plus the original document wallet with various sales brochures from when it was new. In July 2005 it was fitted with a stainless steel exhaust, the front suspension was overhauled and it was fully serviced with all fluids changed (at 11,785 miles). In June 2010 it was serviced again and four new Vredestein tyres fitted, and the following month it had new rear brake discs fitted and the calipers were rebuilt (at 12,035 miles). The original Dunlop tyres are still with the car but were replaced due to their age. The car also benefits from an original factory hardtop, also in excellent condition.

With an MOT until July 2012 the car is said to drive superbly and certainly fired up instantly and ran beautifully on the occasion of our visit to take these photographs. Altogether an exceptional and unmolested low mileage example that is sure to be of interest to any Jaguar collector.

AMENDMENT: On inspection at the saleroom, it appears that this car may have had several panels repainted.