Lot 032: 1974 Jaguar E-Type V12 Roadster

By 1971, Jaguar's jaw-dropping E-Type had been in production for a decade. Despite continual improvements, new emissions legislation in the all-important American market threatened to strangle the big cat's performance. Jaguar responded by giving its revered sports car fresh claws in the shape of a 5343cc V12 developed from the stillborn XJ13 Le Mans project car. The new engine was both effortlessly powerful and eerily refined. "The turbine-like smoothness with which the engine provides a sustained shove in the back is almost uncanny, the more so when one accelerates hard in top gear without even a gearchange to interrupt one's headlong dash into the distance". (Autocar 5th July 1973) With some 272bhp and 304lbft of torque on tap, the Series III E-Type once again had 150mph in its sights. A revised wheelbase yielded better cabin space and together with wider tracks front and rear, new anti-dive front suspension geometry and fatter tyres gave improved road holding. Imbued with a more muscular stance thanks to its flared wheelarches, re-profiled wings and larger grille, it also benefited from vented disc brakes and a restyled interior. Finished in blue with blue leather upholstery, this particular manual example is described by the vendor as being in "very good overall" condition. Said to have covered just "34,700 miles from new" and to retain its original "body panels, chrome, seats and carpets", we are further informed that the "appearance, driving and handling of this E-type are in keeping with the low mileage". Boasting a "new clutch, soft-top and stainless steel exhaust", 'RVG 320M' was apparently with the last of its three previous keepers for some twenty years. Riding on chrome wire wheels, it is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until July 2009.