1971 Jaguar E Type

Manufactured on the 20th of October 1971 and originally supplied by Henlys of Manchester to its first owner, this award-winning (see History Highlights section, below) Black SIII E-Type comes with a full known ownership history, a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate and a Production Record Trace Certificate, as well as a large history file full of invoices dating back to 1987.  

“I purchased it in April 2007,” explains vendor, Richard Smith. ‘Originally Dark Blue, the car was re-sprayed Black after restoration in the 1980's. In 2004, approx 16,000 miles ago, VSE removed the engine and gave it a ‘standard overhaul’ at a cost of £4,454.63.” 

“In 2008, shortly after taking ownership, I had the car overhauled with a complete new interior including headlining and carpets, with chrome work re-plated where necessary and some paintwork refreshed; Brakes were overhauled at the same time with a replacement master brake cylinder and servo fitted”. 

Richard continued to enjoy the E-Type completing maintenance as and when required; further work included replacement of the front crank oil seal in 2010,  a new header tank and hoses in 2017 (approx 3,000 miles ago). New top ball joints and an oil pressure sender unit were also completed around 4,000 miles ago. Replacement battery, plugs and clutch slave cylinder in 2024. The car benefits from twin Kenlowe fans (with override switch), battery isolator and a Bell stainless steel exhaust system with fantail exit pipes fitted. 

“The car is tidy and usable and presents very well but is not concours. It’s always been garaged in my ownership but has been in dry storage since August 2022.”  

This E-Type makes for an arresting sight.  

From a distance it looks picture perfect with its muscular haunches, and chrome bright work contrasting with the deep, dark Black paintwork. Malevolent is the word that comes to mind.  

The bodywork looks to be nice and straight, while the paint is pretty good but not perfect. “There are some blemishes here and there and some cracking and bubbling around the fuel filler. There are also a couple of small dings to the back edge of the driver’s door”. We also noted some touched in edges to the front near side wheel arch and some evidence of later paintwork as is typical of a classic car. 

This though is a car to be enjoyed and driven free from worry of picking up the odd blemish here and there. 

We see many an E-type and this car still looks great and presents well.

Chrome work, including those beautiful chrome wire wheels, is very good and a particular strength. Each wheel is shod in a Pirelli P4000 Super Touring tyre; all look to be in good nick, but as always, we advise that the next owner checks those date stamps. 

Our vendor has also mentioned that sometimes the handbrake warning light can flicker, which if you know your E-types is usually down to the lever not being fully in the "off" position. And apparently, the headlamps can stay on. That presumably will be a faulty switch. Minor issues we believe in a classic car of 50 plus years...

We’re particularly enamoured by the period silver-on-black (white-on-black, at the front) numberplates, which suit this E-Type’s colour scheme to a T and further amplify its muscular stealthy look.  

Renewed in 2008, the interior still presents beautifully. The carpets, headlining, and leather provide a striking cabin ambience. There are very few signs of wear, and the leather hides are still on the cusp of developing a patina.  

From a piece of mind point of view there is a box with spare off cuts from the vinyl used to for the re-trim. This means that, heavens forbid, there’s an interior catastrophe in future then there is matching material to affect a repair. 

The red hue lends a beautiful contrast to both the black exterior paintwork and the dashboard and centre column. Smiths gauges have clear glass and are free from deterioration. Whilst, up top, the headlining is free from any evidence of water ingress from the Webasto-type sunroof – no surprise, as the car has always been garaged and/or covered in Richard’s ownership.  

Lift the carpets and you will find Dynamat automotive soundproofing has been fitted and that lends for a cabin well insulated from any untoward noises.  

Popping the rear hatch reveals acres of luggage space in a boot finished in matching vinyl. 

Very smart.  

The big V12 engine starts readily and settles into a smooth tick-over (see 9mins 58secs into our Video Review, below); there’s a pleasing induction noise under throttle that’s aided and abetted by a raspy note from the quad fantail pipes. The power plant has covered circa 16k miles since that comprehensive overhaul at VSE, so there should be plenty of life left in it yet.  

The engine bay itself looks in smart condition, as befits a well-maintained classic car. Quite often we see E-Types that look shiny on top but popping the bonnet reveals corrosion but that certainly doesn’t appear to be the case here; the bonnet itself is in excellent shape, and the rest of the underlying structure appears to be as well. 

It’s a similar story underneath with well-protected metal, and healthy-looking suspension and running gear. In the boot you will find a spare wire wheel and tyre, as well as solid looking metal in the wheel well.  

The car also comes with a small box of spare parts that includes various gaskets, plugs and bits of trim. An indoor cover is also included should the car require protection when the next owner is out and about on their long-distance travels.  

Included in the E-Type’s history file is the vehicle’s V5c Registration Certificate and a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate (Production Record Trace Certificate Number 6239, issued on 14 July 1994), which indicates the following: 

• Make & Model: Jaguar E Type V12 Series III 
• Date of manufacture: 20th October 1971 
• Body style: 2+2, right-hand drive 
• Chassis Number: 1S 50744 
• Engine number: 7S 4500 SB 
• Gearbox number: KL 1960  
• Body number: 4S 53082 
• Transmission: Manual 
• Exterior paint colour: Dark Blue 
• Interior trim colour: Light Blue  
• Original dealer: Henlys Manchester 
• Registration number: TNC 360K 

Also present are certificates for several awards that it won in 2007 (1st place in the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge & The Yorkshire Historic Car Club’s Silver Jubilee Meeting) and 2008 (The Bradford Classic Gold Award).  

Many invoices for parts, maintenance and other works carried out since 1987 are present and a selection of these can be viewed in our Photographic Gallery, below. You will also find large raft of expired MOT test certificates, the Jaguar Series 3 V12 E Type Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook and a model-specific wiring diagram present. 

Finally, some post-restoration photographs are also included. In them, the previous grey vinyl, piped black, interior can be seen.

This is an older restoration of a Series III E-Type 2+2 that still presents in good usable condition. It’s been dry stored for the last 18 months so there may be a bit of light re-commissioning to complete but once done, it should provide a very nice driving experience. That, of course, is because it’s been well maintained and has received preventative maintenance when required, as well as an upgrade or two. 

E-Type prices have dropped a touch since their collective high on and around the model’s 60th anniversary. That means we think this nice example will fetch somewhere between £38,000 and £43,000.  

With a full known ownership history from new, this example comes with a first-class provenance. Its next owner will become a part of that and can open a fresh chapter in this car’s history. 

Smooth V12 power waits this E-Type’s next owner.    

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions'.