Jaguar E-Type S3 V12 Automatic Coupe

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The Series 3 E-Type was the first of many Jaguars to use the fabulous turbine smooth 5.3-litre V12. Only the second new engine design in the history of the company, its original concept dated back to the early ‘50s.

Determined to keep ahead of the game at Le Mans, a 5.0-litre V12 was produced, using two twin-cam XK heads on a common crankcase. Shelved through its complexity and cost, the firm wisely focused on production and the day to day running of the business.

The project was rejuvenated many years later, the team developing a version for the XJ13, and a proposal to use it in a new super luxury car was considered. Its 8,000rpm red-line was hardly suitable, nor was its lack of mid-range torque, or the clatter from its complex valve-gear for that matter, but it showed potential thanks to its light-weight and compact dimension

When it finally did emerge in the restyled Series 3 E-Type, it had been ‘stroked’ to 5.3-litres. This gave it all the torque it could need and the heads now had one simple chain-driven camshaft per bank which successfully suppressed the noise. Fuel injection had been envisaged, but in practice four side-draft Strombergs were used, the engines producing 272bhp and a whopping 349lb/ft of torque, giving the car a top speed in excess of 140mph.

The accompanying Heritage Certificate states that this example was manufactured on 7 March 1973 and painted in Heather with a Cerise interior – how very 1970s! Sold through Dutton Forshaw in Birmingham it was originally registered BNM 477L.

Its last two keepers have owned the car for the last 33 years, its previous keeper taking the car to Germany for a period at which point it overheated and was returned to the UK for rectification. The huge history file shows that Phillips Garages in Birmingham fitted a replacement reconditioned engine in August 1981, returning the car with a bill for £2,183 and twin-Kenlowe fans! In October of that year a further £1,147 was spent on a reconditioned gearbox. It is not clear when the colour change took place, the bright magenta colour suiting the car well.

Although it has seen little use over the last few years, the vendor has fitted new rear springs and rain deflectors and acquired a complete set of refurbished wire wheels and spinners, plus rear hub adaptors which have yet to be fitted. He has also added Opus electronic ignition which is a very worthwhile exercise on these engines and has had the cam covers and engine ancillaries detailed with specialist stove enamelling.

We are informed that it runs well and drives nicely and is MOTd until September 2014 and taxed until June 2015 (now tax exempt of course). The vendor believes that the indicated 96,200 miles is genuine.

Although introduced over 53 years ago, it is still a red-letter day when you see an E-type on the road. This sensibly priced example will enable its lucky new owner to get that feeling every time they open the garage door. 

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: Please note the tax disc (tax exempt) exprires at the end of May 2015 and not June 2015 as catalogued.