JAGUAR E-TYPE

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Silverstone Festival 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 23rd of August, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN.

A decade after the original Jaguar E-Type arrived, the design progressively matured through 1971 with the introduction of the Series 3. Designed to showcase the new smooth and torquey 5.3-litre engine originally developed for Le Mans, the Series 3 cars were available as a 'Roadster' (convertible) or a '2+2' Coupé. The Series 3 is easily identifiable by its large cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, a larger bonnet bulge, updated bumpers and a badge on the rear that proclaims it to be a V12. It also features uprated brakes, power steering as standard and a large horizontal scoop added to the underside of the bonnet to assist with cooling. The interior was entirely new in the V12, with more comfortable seating, stylish new door panels and a smaller, dished and leather-rimmed steering wheel. Being slightly larger and altogether much softer in nature, the E-Type in Series 3 form had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long-legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited.

Finished in Primrose Yellow with a black hardtop and a black leather interior, this remarkable E-Type Series 3 V12 is fitted with a manual gearbox and was supplied new by PJ Evans Ltd in Birmingham. The stamped service record shows that it was initially serviced by Jaguar Cars in Coventry at 6,000 miles. It was subsequently purchased by our vendor's late father in March 1978 (receipt on file) and serviced by Stratstone at 11,419 miles on 11th May 1978 before being added to his Collection where it was one of 12 Jaguars and only used occasionally over the next 25 years until his passing in 2003. In 2004,  it was carefully covered and committed to dry storage, remaining unused since then.

 

The car's history file appears comprehensive and includes a 1997 invoice from Marcus Barclay Jaguar in Slough containing details of an engine rebuild, rebuilt suspension, new brakes, clutch and the fitting of a power steering rack. It appears that the bonnet and bulkhead were painted at the same time but otherwise the car still sports its original paint and panels. Now sitting on wire wheels, the original steel wheels and hubs are supplied with the car as are the original discs and various other spares. The file also contains the original Jaguar dealer wallet with the handbook, service book, lubrication chart, every MOT from 1976 to 2004 and older Tax Discs from 1983 to 2003.

 

The odometer currently reads just 15,764 miles from new and this remarkable survivor is offered fresh to market; although after being unused for 20 years, it will require recommissioning. Such pure examples with complete history from day one are hard to find and this low-mileage, low ownership, Primrose Yellow Series 3 with a manual gearbox and factory hardtop is true collector quality.