1971 Jaguar E-Type SIII 5.3

This E Type has been the subject of an extensive and thorough restoration in 2016, details of which are;

• Trim kit - from John Skinner of Gloucester. This included the full package along with the dashboard, head linings, padding, internal padding, cushions, for the LHD S3 2+2 E Type, also original diamond perforated leather in barley beige, with beige piping on the seats and with tan piping to the rear arches, making a beautiful contrast.

• Seat belts - New Classic hand made in beige to match internal leather trim, along with stainless steel buckles and leaping Jaguar logo, still with original plastic packaging.

• Stainless steel - the majority of the stainless steel (bumpers, grills, wheel covers, lights, etc.) on the car have been replaced with brand-new from SNG Barrett. The stainless steel exhaust system and manifolds are all-new, since the purchase in 2004.

• Classic & Vintage restoration limited - the vehicle was completely dismantled and was taken down to the bare metal, engine and gearbox were removed stripped down and repainted. All electronics together with all (6 x wiring looms), lights, have been replaced with new ones. Metalwork repairs have been made to all areas that were identified as being problematic, metal was fabricated to match the original design detail.

• The bonnet has been dipped and broken down into its pieces, then a new new nose cone and panels were fitted. All seams were lead loaded. A long list of documented new parts linked to the nuts and bolts re-build is available as part of the documented journey, including purchases and receipts that amount to £40K plus.

• Rubber and seals - all have been replaced with new seal kits.

• Engine rebuild - the engine was fully rebuilt by Stewart Plant Jaguar engineers in Dallas Texas in 1998, since that time the vehicle has done 15,735 miles. The original invoice for the engine rebuild and other related purchases of parts are available in the supporting documentation.

• Radio and internal dashboard - radio is the original Blaupunkt - the dashboard and plastic vents have been replaced, painted by hand and re-trimmed.

• Paintwork - paint matched to original Old English White.

• SU Carburettor conversion kit - at 15.688 miles new SU carbs were fitted.

The owner says, ‘The rebuilding has been thorough – an excellent job completed by the engineers, mechanics, metal fabricators, painters and upholsterers. However, as for putting it back on the road and using it on a regular basis; I can't say I've done a good job of that, having only done 1300 miles in 18 years! But according to the team at Classic & Vintage, this is the most detailed restoration that they have ever done or seen on a Series 3 E Type.’

This E Type is in beautiful condition so we’ll concentrate on the small defects we spotted. There’s a small paint defect on trailing edge of the rear hatch, and the paint is chipped on the nearside sill near the rear lower corner of the bonnet.

The grille on rear hatch and trim around rear side windows are slightly tarnished. It’s nothing really, just a small indication that the car’s nearly 50 years old.

We have noticed that occasionally the drivers door lock and catch does not operate correctly.

Under the bonnet the glorious V12 is also stunning looking. A coolant pipe is tarnished and a thermostat housing has very slight corrosion, but we’re clutching at straws.

There are small marks on steering wheel rim. Other than that, it’s stunning in here.

The stainless steel exhaust still shines, the white paintwork is excellent.

This E Type car was built in Coventry on 11 Aug 1971 and then shipped on September 1st 1971 to New York Jaguar, main dealers for the USA. It was then sold and shipped to Dallas Texas, where it spent the next 30 or so years owned by a lady whose details are among the paperwork that comes with the car. She then sold the car to Bob Edwards, again of Dallas Texas. Bob was a collector of classic cars, mainly American Chevys and suchlike.

He had the engine rebuilt in 1998 by a Jaguar specialist (Stuart Plant), and then the car was moved to his offices and positioned in full view of his software development team. Being 6' 9" tall and having a waistband of 54 inches, it was impossible for Bob to get into the E Type. The current owner laughed about this on his regular business visits to Bob, and started pestering him to sell it to him.

There is a stack of documents dating back to the 1997 purchase from the original owner, E Type manuals, a Jaguar Heritage Certificate, a Number Plate Authorisation Certificate plus hundreds of photos of the restoration and supporting invoices totalling more than £40,000.

Matching numbers - all numbers on the vehicle are matching including chassis, engine, gearbox.

The owner says, ‘I bought the car following a visit to a friend’s business back in 2004 in the USA. Big Bob was 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighed in at 37 stone, so he couldn't fit into the E Type. The car was in the middle of his office as a showpiece, and from that day, I continuously pestered him to sell it to me.

‘My persistence paid off in 2004, when I shipped the E Type back to the UK. The car was running nicely but aesthetically it was tired, particularly on the inside and in the engine bay. It then stayed in the warm garage (more like somebody’s posh kitchen) until 2016 when I decided to rebuild it from scratch taking it down to bare metal to bring it to its current state. (300+ images of the rebuild are available). From 2004 to 2022 the car has only done 3000 miles – it just sits there like a showpiece.’

Gorgeous, is what we think. This Jag is comfortably far enough away from concours to be a car you wouldn’t be afraid to use, but genuinely stunning in every respect. E Type cool with a V12 soundtrack, flared arches and four exhaust pipes. What more do you want?

Our estimate for this vehicle is £35,000 - £45,000.

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’.