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. 

Wider and more menacing 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 has the desirable manual gearbox and is a quite remarkable example that has covered just 44,000 miles from new backed up by a virtually unbroken run of 25 old MOTs back to 1977 at 14,931 miles.

The current registered keeper acquired the car from renowned Jaguar specialists CMC of Bridgnorth in 2007 but has used it only very sparingly – indeed in the last 10 years it has only covered 1,000 miles. Said to be a highly original car with no signs of any previous significant restoration apart from a high quality repaint, it looks spectacular in white with a nicely preserved black leather interior and a good black soft top.

Taxed until the end of December and MOTd until March 2014, it comes with a good history file right back to the early 1980s to show regular maintenance and still has the original owner’s handbook. In 2000 it was treated to a major bout of mechanical fettling including a complete new clutch kit, new steering rack, full brake and suspension overhaul and much work to the engine with a bill on file for some £9,300.

Beautifully preserved and with an ultra-low mileage, it is sure to be of interest to the serious Jaguar collector and looks a shrewd investment at the sensible guide price suggested – just take a look at what some dealers are asking for cars in this condition.