"The Jaguar E-Type was ten years old and needed a new lease of life. History repeated itself and it was a huge success when Jaguar debuted its robust V12 engine in a sports car instead of the saloon for which it was designed. Despite its sportscar heritage, Jaguar depended on saloon vehicles for its survival and had developed the twelve-cylinder engine to power them with sufficient torque and refinement. Larger and softer in nature with weight redistributed 53/47, the Series III had lost the wilds of its youth but gained the long-legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited. Robert Bell in Motor was quoted as saying at the time that ‘all we expected to try was a new engine, but what in fact we drove was a new car. Not a yowling, aggressive Ferrari-like machine with which, perhaps, most people associate a V12 engine, but a very smooth, quiet and refined grand touring sports car’.
This amazingly original 'time-warp' Jaguar E-Type Series III Roadster was last on the road in 1979 when it was purchased by a mechanical engineer. 'NJA 160M' had been purchased new in 1973 by one J Perry of Whetstone and was sold to its second owner, John Rosenbery of Desfield, in 1974. The E-Type then passed via Swanmere Garage, Bournemouth to our engineer in 1979. Our vendor tells us that the current odometer reading of a mere 2,550 miles is warranted and that the car has recently been recommissioned and now has a fresh MoT test certificate. Retaining its original Old English White paintwork, red leather upholstery, and black convertible hood, this E-Type was purchased as an investment and has always been kept in a heated garage. Apart from some black paint applied to the under-bonnet area in the 1980s, the car remains in original condition in every respect, a truly remarkable find. The car comes with its original wallet and book pack consisting of the service booklet, maintenance guide, owner's handbook, etc plus some early MoT test certificates. You will not find another car like this. A unique opportunity.
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