1972 Jaguar E Type Series III

If you are going to have a Jaguar E Type, you most likely want one in a favoured colour combination and what could be finer than red, paired with a black leather interior.

Our lovely Roadster left the Browns Lane factory in June 1972 in left hand drive form and was dispatched to New York. It must have cut quite a dash in the day, and we can only imagine the joy it must have brought to its lucky original owner. We understand that the same family owned the car for 43 years, it being passed down from father to son.

The car was repatriated in 2016 and registered with the DVLA in April of that year.

The car has covered very few miles in what has been a gentle life on both sides of the pond, the milometer now reading a smidgen under 29,000 miles. Less than 800 miles have been covered by its one fastidious UK owner.

When not in use it was carefully stored in a dehumidified facility. However, the E Type’s owner was not afraid to lavish time and money on the car. A full bare metal respray was undertaken and a full mechanical overhaul carried out. New tyres and a new mohair soft-top were also fitted.

With a smooth shifting automatic gearbox and that powerful V12 engine, this is a car that is very much ready for its next owner to take on some exciting new adventures.

The Signal red paintwork positively sparkles. Whoever carried out the respray clearly knew what they were doing. Unblemished is a word we use sparingly but in this instant it feels appropriate. We cannot spot any flaws.

The shut lines are excellent, the panels straight and true as one would expect from such a low mileage car.

There is of course lashings of chrome and this all looks to be in good order. Invest in copious amounts of chrome cleaner to keep it all in good fettle.

No classic British sports car should ever be presented without wire wheels. Whilst accepting they are a pain in the neck to keep clean, they look bloomin’ marvellous. Those on our E Type are in great order and are fitted with new tyres that have plenty of tread.

The mohair hood was replaced in 2016 and was supplied by Aldridge Trimming in Wolverhampton, one of the leading specialists. There is a tonneau cover which covers the hood when it is folded away. Hood up or down, this is one stunning car, and one which will always attract attention wherever you may travel.

What could be nicer than hunkering down in the comfortable leather driver’s seat, firing up that sonorous V12, slipping the gear-lever into drive and wafting off into the sunset. Perfect!

The seats themselves are in lovely original condition with just some gentle creasing commensurate with the easy life this car has had. A little hide food now and again to keep the leather supple is all that is required. The apparently original carpets also show very little sign of wear.

Air conditioning is fitted, ideal for hotter climes and we gather this is in working order. Much better to fold the roof away and enjoy what sunny weather we get to the full.

The boot houses the spare wire wheel together with the original tool kit. There’s space aplenty for a couple of squashy bags, ideal for a weekend away or a touring holiday.

Opening an E Type’s bonnet is always a sense of occasion. With the famous Jaguar V12 installed in the Series 3, there’s plenty to look at!

The compartment is wonderfully clean and tidy with no signs of anything untoward that we can spot.

Take a look at the many pictures of the car’s underside in our gallery and readily apparent is the careful application of plenty of underseal. There are one or two areas that could be improved we think.

There’s a magnificent stainless-steel exhaust fitted which looks fine and sounds even better.

We cannot tell you much about the car’s time in America, except to say the car had one family owner, covered an exceptionally small mileage and was clearly loved and cherished.

On arrival in the UK, the car was sent to RG Bate (Engineering) Ltd in Birkenhead. For those who don’t know, Bob Bate is a technical advisor to the Jaguar Owners Club and is one of the few independent dealers that has technical and internet access direct to Jaguar. He has written technical workshop manuals for many Jaguar models over the years. He is a font of knowledge and just the right person to entrust your cherished E Type to.

As can be seen from the invoice dated 15th September 2016, for the princely sum of £3,447.58, RG Bate carried out a complete mechanical check and overhaul of the car to ensure its fitness.

Over £1,000 worth of new parts were fitted including a new alternator and an ignition system conversion kit. The car was of course fully serviced with new spark plugs and a variety of minor repairs were made. We would suggest studying the three-page invoice for chapter and verse.

Also amongst the paperwork is a bill from parts supplier Martin Robey for brake pads, hoses and a V12 carburettor kit.

On arrival in the UK the E Type was MoTed and on 1st April 2016 the recorded mileage was just 28,071. The latest test was carried out on 7th December last year, the mileage having climbed to 28,860. Just one advisory was recorded for a minor oil leak.

Jaguar E Types are always in great demand and this car ticks all the right boxes. Great colour, powerful V12 engine mated to a smooth automatic gearbox and let’s not forget those snazzy wire wheels.

In quite exceptional condition for its year, having clearly been loved and cherished throughout its life, this must surely be one of the lowest mileage E Types in existence.

We estimate that the car will sell for between £60,000 and £70,000, a big sum, but a small price to pay for this wonderful piece of British automotive heritage.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.