Lot 221: 1974 Jaguar Series III V-12 XK-E Roadster

Although Jaguar scored five impressive wins at Le Mans during the 1950s with their six-cylinder cars besting the likes of the 12-cylinder Ferraris, the writing was on the garage wall. To keep competitive they needed to substantially up the ante and that meant developing a new, more powerful Jaguar engine. The company’s time-tested, race tested straight six would be doubled up into a new potent V-12, yet retain all the six’s smooth running performance. Development proceeded on the powerplant, however it would never see action on the race track, rather its future lay on public highways and byways.

Jaguar engineers approached several considerations when transforming the race bred engine into a production street model. The new overhead camshaft V-12 had to fit under the existing hood of the production six-cylinder XK-E that had been selling so well in the U.S. and elsewhere. Additionally the drive-train had to include an automatic transmission and still provide plenty of punch as well as user-friendly handling. No small list of requirements. The stage was set for the first new Jaguar production engine in 14 years. In 1971, with all goals achieved, Jaguar launched the new 5.4 liter V-12 Series III E-Type adding yet another milestone machine to the company’s long list of legendary sports cars. Only 6, 119 LHD roadsters were built, 1974 the last year of production for the V-12 E-Type.

The example seen here, a 1974 open two-seater (OTS), received a one-year, ground-up restoration by JCNA acknowledged E-type expert, the late Mr. Reggie Ray, during which all original parts were retained, all numbers matching. The engine was completely gone through as was every other element of the car which had been found in storage for many years and purchased from the estate of the original owner. It was repainted its original Regency Red while the original biscuit interior was replaced with black leather. Every item of the car is in perfect working order from cigar lighter to air conditioning. Included are owner’s handbook and original tool kit as well as restoration records and New York state certificate of title. The odometer shows some 25,000 original miles of which only 700 miles were recorded by its second owner since its restoration was completed. For the last several years it has been stored in a humidity and temperature controlled professional storage facility and is in pristine condition.

The Series III Roadster is arguably the most elegant and desirable of all the XKE models ever made. The XKE has appeared on mostly every designer's list of the "Ten Best Sports Cars Ever Made". Capable of 145 mph, this exceptional car is indeed fully turn-key and ready to be driven and enjoyed with complete confidence by its new owner.