Lot 401: 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Coupe

�What is it that gives the (VI2) model its immense charm? First of all there is its tremendous performance... 0-60mph in 6.3secs, the standing quarter-mile in 14.9secs and 0-100mph in 16.4secs. This involved no fuss or preparation whatsoever; the 19,000-mile car was simply driven to MIRA, its tyres inflated... and the test-gear bolted on...� - The Autocar.
Jaguar�s effortlessly powerful 5.3-litre V12-cylinder engine has proved itself over 20 years to be one of the very finest examples of automotive production engineering. The 272bhp light-alloy VI2, with its single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, had revitalised the E-Type when first introduced in that model's Series III variant in 1971. The smooth, turbine-like power of this utterly outstanding engine � which had been created by those two legendary engineers Walter Hassan and Harry Mundy - once again made the E-Type a true 145mph motor car. Its performance outstripped that of the immediately preceding 4.2-litre XK six-cylinder model, which had become progressively strangled by the requirements of US Federal Emission Regulations. Acceleration of the new Series III E-Type was also superior to that of its six-cylinder predecessors. The model was offered in Roadster and 2+2 Coup� forms, with subtly revised and updated body forms (many of these changes being tailored to US Federal requirements) featuring chromium-plated radiator grilles and perforated disc wheels, chromed wire wheels being a popular option.
This Series III E-Type Coup� comes with a most substantial file of history that confirms the veracity of its recorded mileage of 70,000 and contains a full photographic record of bodywork restoration carried out in 1994. A desirable manual transmission model finished in red with original black leather interior, �ABW 277L� is offered with sundry restoration invoices, Swansea V5 registration document and MoT to May 2009. The vendor advises us that the car has recently been checked over and is running very well.