Jaguar E-Type S3 V12 Coupe Manual

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 See the Northern Lights, get a straight answer from a politician, receive a refund from the Inland Revenue – there are some things in life that everyone should experience and driving a V12 engined Jaguar is one of them. Put that V12 in an E-Type and you have the motoring equivalent of Viagra.

Weighing just a few pounds more than the smaller XK 4.2 engine it replaced, the alloy blocked 5.3 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.

With a sub-7 seconds 0-60 time and taking only another 9 seconds to reach 100mph, the V12 was the fastest E-Type of all and could cruise at 140mph – if fuel consumption wasn’t an issue. Properly maintained, this unstressed giant also has an enviable reputation for reliability.

This particular V12 is most unusual in that it has covered a mere 40,400 miles from new and has been in the current ownership for the last 36 years. As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, it was built in November 1972 and sold via Henlys of Manchester in January the following year. Primrose Yellow with a black leather interior and a manual gearbox, it was originally registered WNC 313L and was acquired by the vendor in 1978 with around 30,000 miles on the clock.

Only used on high days and holidays these last four decades, it has been maintained regardless of cost getting a new Martin Robey bonnet in 1987 and being treated to a full engine and gearbox rebuild at XK Engineering in 1991 when the rest of the running gear was also overhauled at a cost of over £10,000 (invoices on file).

In generally good condition throughout, it is said to drive superbly and certainly went well and sounded sweet with a notably smooth ride on bumpy roads when we were treated to a lengthy test drive on the occasion of our visit. Supplied with the original owner’s handbook, a workshop manual, parts catalogue and 18 old MOTs back to 1979 to warrant the mileage, it is taxed and MOTd until the end of July 2015 with no advisories recorded.

Only reluctantly being sold due to emigration, this fine old E-Type now just needs a caring new home where it can be looked after for the next few decades.