Lot 222: 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series III Roadster

Perhaps no other manufacturer but Jaguar could be expected to pull off the same trick twice and get away with it. Certainly the brilliant, even great, E-Type was going to be a very hard act to follow when, a decade on, some aspects of its design were beginning to show their age. Notably the E-Type had been putting on weight as it approached middle-age - a phenomenon sadly known to cars as well as human beings and its legendary performance was not what it once was. Jaguar's solution was, effectively, to give the car a heart transplant. Thus the upcoming V12 - an engine of some magnificence - was brought into early service to create the Series III E-Type. There were historical echoes here too because the legendary XK engine, now being superseded, was also originally slated for a saloon but found itself diverted into an equally successful sports car. The new engine, which turned out 272bhp, a figure no standard XK unit ever approached, finally restored the E-Type's critical 140mph plus top speed and was able to improve considerably on its acceleration figures. Yet for all this ferocious power, the car's legendary refinement imparted it with a slightly Jekyll and Hyde character. Here truly was an iron fist inside a velvet glove. With just 4 previous owners, this well presented Series III V12 E-Type ticks all the rights boxes. A sound car from the wheels up, plenty of history and above all, very good looking. The detailed service records show 48,000 recorded, a figure also backed up by the 21 previous MoT certificates. It will also benefit from a fresh MoT in time for the sale which will also include a full service and new exhaust. Upon closer inspection, the body shows no obvious corrosion with the interior trim in correspondingly good order. Under the bonnet is no different with obvious care taken over its maintenance and presentation. Numerous invoices attest to its condition and maintenance over the years and should provide many miles of trouble-free motoring. Carbon footprint notwithstanding.