Lot 013: 1971 JAGUAR E-TYPE V12 COUPE

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 red with black leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "A1+" condition with regard to its engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork and wheels / tyres (while, he rates the interior trim and paintwork as "A1"). Reportedly restored "at a total cost of over £80,000" by its previous keeper, 'YTU 295J' is understood to have benefited from a bare metal respray, powder coated underside, refurbished interior and renewed electrics. While mechanically it is said to have been treated to a thorough overhaul of its "engine, gearbox and back axle" as well as a conversion to fuel injection (the latter modification bringing improvements in both responsiveness and fuel economy). Given a new set of chrome wire wheels shod with fresh tyres, the Jaguar shows an unwarranted 56,000 miles to its odometer. Sporting a Webasto sunroof, this highly pampered E-type is offered for sale with MOT certificate evadlid until October 2008 and historic class (free) road tax valid until March 2008.r