1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster
Registration no. to be advised
Chassis no. UE1S24661

Testing the E-Type Series 3 back in 1972, Road & Track magazine reckoned the new V12 power unit, 'a sheer delight, by itself almost worth the price of admission. The V12 is a lovely piece of machinery, lovely to listen to and lovely to behold. The exhaust has that hurried sound characteristic of a multiple-cylinder engine where the many explosions per revolution make it sound as if it's running faster than an engine with fewer cylinders. The idle is smooth and quiet with none of the mechanical busyness one normally experiences from the likes of a Ferrari or Lamborghini V12. And the smoothness lingers throughout the rev range.'

This superior refinement would have counted for little had the Series 3 proved slower than its predecessors, but the new V12 engine was more than powerful enough to offset the weight gain over the preceding 4.2-litre XK six and ensure that performance was undiminished. Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block six that it replaced, the all-alloy, 5.3-litre, overhead-camshaft V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed well in excess of 140mph. Further good news was that the 0-100mph time of around 16 seconds made the V12 the fastest-accelerating E-Type ever.

Other mechanical changes beneath the Series 3's more aggressive looking exterior included ventilated front disc brakes, anti-dive front suspension, Lucas transistorised ignition and Adwest power-assisted steering, while automatic transmission was one of the more popular options on what was now more of a luxury Grand Tourer than out-and-out sports car. Flared wheelarches, a deeper radiator air intake complete with grille, and a four-pipe exhaust system distinguished the Series III from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge. The interior though, remained traditional Jaguar. Built in two-seat roadster and '2+2' coupé versions, both of which used the long-wheelbase floor pan introduced on the Series 2 '2+2', the Series 3 E-Type continued the Jaguar tradition of offering a level of performance and luxury unrivalled at the price.

Sold new in Canada, this stunning Series 3 was bought from CMC Bridgnorth Shropshire in 2007 having been imported from the USA by them circa 1996. CMC then undertook a total 'ground upwards' restoration, which was completed in 2002 and is documented on a CD containing in excess of 300 photographs. By 2009 it was apparent that the car's running gear required a major overhaul, which was undertaken over the next three years and involved the incorporation of a number of upgrades. These included removal of the original North American-specification engine and its replacement with a 6.0-litre V12RS engine built by Brian Ball. This engine is fitted with a 'Le Mans' fuel injection system provided by Owen Developments of Kingston Bagpuize, Oxfordshire. In addition, the existing Toyota gearbox was replaced with a Getrag five-speed 'box, mated to paddle-shift clutch to cope with the engine's 400bhp.

The suspension has been up-rated with Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers to the rear and Koni to the front, while the rear axle has been changed to a 2.88:1 final drive ratio (from 3.54:1), the works being carried out by Jaguar engineer, Brian Ball. Further upgrades include twin radiator cooling fans, air-conditioning (now situated in the rear seat box) and improved headlights. The original Jaguar convertible hood and frame are new, and the car also comes with an original colour-coded factory hardtop (supplied by CMC). Other noteworthy features include knock-on wire wheels and Recaro seats trimmed in biscuit leather and Alcantara. The smaller upgrades are too numerous to mention. Finished in Opalescent Green, the car retains its original bodywork, interior instruments and dashboard, giving this much enhanced example the appearance of a well presented and better-than-new standard Series 3 Jaguar E-Type. Accompanying documentation consists of the aforementioned CD of photographs, sundry restoration invoices, Jaguar/Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, current MoT and a V5C registration document.