2024-12-28 08:30:45 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1972-jaguar-e-type-series-iii-v12-roadster-nYzQ34

Seller's description:

1972 Jaguar E Type Series III V12 Convertible

Colour Dark green

Odometer 97,000 Miles

Engine size5300cc

Seller Type Trade

Wandsworth, London, United Kingdom

Heritage certificate

Substantial history file

Desirable specification

Lovely to drive, and ready to enjoy

Singler ownership for 16 years

Fortune spent maintenance and improvement

The notion evidently caught the fancy of one Jaguar fan at some point in this car’s colourful history, as when it was delivered to its first owner in the USA back in 1972 this E-Type was a left-hand-drive coupe in Sable Brown with beige trim. Quite the transformation, for sure, and the work’s been carried out to such an impressive standard that you most likely wouldn’t be able to tell unless you knew – just look at those lovely panel gaps, for starters.

 Anecdotal evidence from the history file tells us that the engine was rebuilt at 78,700 miles (today it’s showing 97,200), with the last owner keeping the car for sixteen years. During that time they spent in excess of £20,000 maintaining and improving, with works including replacement of all brakes and lines, fuel lines and hoses, suspension shocks and springs, bushes, a replacement automatic gearbox c.5000 miles ago, repairs to the rear arches along with repainting of the doors, aluminium radiator plus auxiliary fan with manual override, replacement soft-top, and more.

 It drives like a dream, to mirror its dreamy specification. And as pretty much every passer-by pointed out as we were photographing the car, it looks fabulous too

The History and Paperwork

V5

Heritage certificate

Period manual/service book

Sheaf of old MOT certificates

2023 – invoice for £1706 –front brake calipers and hoses, fuel lines and hoses, steering rack gaiters, etc

2022 – invoice for £9820 –shocks and springs, polybushes, radiator and hoses, assorted powder-coated parts, front tyres, carburettors re-jetted, etc

2019 – invoice for £2300 – doors repainted, repairs to rear arches, etc

2018 – invoice for £2057 – replace oil filter housing, etc

2015 – invoice for £1397 – full service, engine mounts, radio fascia, head restraint inserts, aerial, etc

2000 – invoice for £1486 – Moto-Lita steering wheel, stainless steel exhaust, etc

Assorted parts invoices

Dyno sheets

As per the heritage certificate the car was converted from 2+2 to Roadster body and from left to right-hand drive 

The Condition

Recent mohair soft-top

Black leather trim

Chrome wire wheels

The quality of a classic car’s maintenance and restoration can be judged by its panel gaps, and they’re super on this E-Type – look at the fitment of the doors and bonnet, it’s all very pleasing. The deep green paint has a lovely lustre to it, and all of the chrome trim is present and correct – and gleaming. The car wears a set of quality wire wheels with decent tyres, and you’ll find the mallet and spinner tool in the boot along with a matching spare. The light lenses and window glass are all good, and the correct badging is in place.

 The cabin presents very well, with the black leather seats comfy and supportive, and tilting correctly. The gauges are all functional, and the car is fitted with a push-button radio. The carpets are tidy, the dash-top is free from cracks or sun damage, and the tasteful Moto-Lita steering wheel is a delightful item with no evident wear.

 The car has recently been fitted with a quality mohair soft-top, which is simple to raise, affix and lower. 

The Mechanics

All brakes and suspension renewed

Gearbox replaced c.5000 miles ago

It’s very easy to have a good time in a V12 Jag. They just love to waft, and when that venerable engine is wrapped up in the sylph-like E-Type silhouette, it’s a surefire recipe for good times. Indeed, this Series III is very happy to oblige; started from cold, it fires up without issue and settles into a steady idle. The engine pulls strongly through the revs, and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The brakes are reassuringly strong and pull the car up in a straight line, while the suspension feels supple and allows the Jag to cruise with its trademark smoothness – no undue noises, no squeaks or rattles, just pleasant GT motoring.