1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 FHC

Highlights

High-end 2021 restoration by Rushton Classic Engineering
Invoices on file totaling in excess of £133,456 (including purchase)
Offered with a competitive reserve
Just 1,600 miles since completion
Popular gunmetal grey metallic over burgundy colour scheme
Tasteful blend of early aesthetics and later luxury and performance
One of only 22 cars fitted from the factory with an electric metal sunroof
Uprated with modern air conditioning and 5-speed manual box

The Appeal

The E-Type evolved. The early and late cars both have fine qualities beloved of enthusiasts. For those seeking the perfect blend of all those models, you may just have found it.

Beautifully finished in popular gunmetal grey metallic over a burgundy leather cabin, this highly restored Series 3 mixes early aesthetics with later performance alongside some choice modern enhancements. The result is a true ‘one off’ that both looks amazing and drives exceptionally well.

The work was undertaken by renowned specialists Rushton Engineering at considerable expense using one of the last LHD FHC cars as a starting point. That car featured an extremely rare steel sliding sunroof, which has of course been retained. It was fully restored and resprayed, including interior retrim. The mechanicals and running were also comprehensively overhauled. The result is a car featuring the desirable fared-in lights of the early cars with similar Series 1 touches to the interior. The modern upgrades include air conditioning and a 5spd gearbox. It is a delight to explore the photographs - look out for the ‘ejector switch.’ The car has only covered 1,600 miles since the work was finished.

E-Types rarely come to market with the provenance and specification of this one. It is a collector quality car and we don’t think you’ll find another.

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1973
VIN ‘U’ and ‘D’ prefixes show this was a USA market 1973 model year car
Heritage certificate included
Three registered keepers since returning to the UK in June 2019
One of the last LHD FHC cars built - 393rd from last
One of only 22 cars supplied with factory steel sliding sunroof
Rotisserie restoration completed by Rushton Classic Engineering in 2021
Full photographic record of restoration works
Converted to RHD during the restoration process

The Condition

Beautiful Opalescent Gunmetal grey metallic paintwork refinished to high standard in 2021
Bodywork fully restored which is shown in photographs
Series 3 aesthetics adapted to fared in headlights
Fitted with fluted exhaust tailpipe
Red leather interior, carpets, and headlining trimmed to match the main hide
Fitted with headrests, front inertia, and rear lap belts trimmed in classic webbing
Chrome wire wheels on whitewalls with three-ear spinners present well
Cabin blends early aesthetics with later luxury including engine-turned aluminium trim
White Smiths dials and converted to early Series 1 toggle switchgear
Equipped with air conditioning neatly integrated into cabin
Classic style modern stereo with rear camera
Intriguing ‘ejector’ switch
Large and very rare sliding steel factory-fitted sunroof
Underside in very good order reflecting restoration and sparing use

This restored Series 3 is quite the visual treat. Opalescent gunmetal grey metallic over burgundy is one of the most appealing colour combinations for E-Types. This car has been finished to an exceptionally high standard by Rushton, the subsequent sparing use ensuring it arrives on the market much as it did when it was completed in 2021.

The detailing is a feast for enthusiasts. On the nose are cleverly fared in headlights and a mesh grille, aping the original early cars, while inside there is a fully retrimmed cabin blending early, late and modern features. These include engine-turned aluminium trim, Series 1 toggles and smart white-faced Smiths dials. There is a modern classic-style stereo, air conditioning and even an ejector switch!

The condition inside is impeccable, reflecting the high-quality work and very sparing use.

The Mechanics

Fully rebuilt 5.3litre V12 engine on carburettors
Converted to 5spd manual gearbox
Uprated with modern air conditioning and directional blowers
Adjustable dampers for improved ride comfort
Just 1,600 miles covered since restoration completed
Full mechanical and running gear rebuild during high-end restoration

For many, the V12 was the engine that the E-Type was built for. It is one of the greatest engines of the last 60 years and transforms cars like this one into proper long-legged GT cars. This car leans into that theme with its conversion to 5spd manual gearbox, which makes high speed cruising considerably more relaxing.

The mechanicals and running gear were fully rebuilt by Rushton during restoration. With only 1,600 miles completed since this car is in very good mechanical order and barely used.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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