Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1972 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster
Subject to a full re-paint with completion in August 2024
Estimate
£65, 000 - £80, 000
Registration No: LFD 525L
Chassis No: 1S1516
MOT: Exempt
Recently subject to full cosmetic overhaul into the attractive original colour scheme of Light Blue over a Dark Blue interior
Believed genuine 83, 893 miles from new
Offered with a history file displaying much recent expenditure including over 400 photographs documenting the body overhaul
Specified as a UK Market, Right Hand Drive car fitted with the desirable four-speed manual gearbox from new
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 sportscar 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." (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 in conjunction with wider front/ rear tracks, new anti-dive front suspension geometry and fatter tyres gave improved road holding. Imbued with a more muscular stance thanks to its flared wheel arches, re-profiled wings and larger grille, the model also boasted vented disc brakes and a restyled interior.
According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate on file, chassis 1S 1516 was despatched via PJ Evans on the 26th October 1973, originally specified in the gorgeous colour scheme of Light Blue over a Dark Blue interior and with the desirable manual transmission. Believed to have been first registered as ‘LFD 525L’, little is known of the early history until 1984 thanks to the first MOT certificate on file, which records the mileage as 51, 795 miles. Known ownership starts in 1986, when the car would be acquired by a Mr M. Charles of Walton-On-Thames, who would only own the Jaguar for one year before it was sold on to a Mr G. Thomas of Shenfield, Essex who would own the car until 2018 when it would be sold to the current owner. Our vendor, who owns a considerable collection of classic vehicles with this being his second E-Type, has always been fastidious regarding maintenance of his vehicles as he regularly uses them on a near daily basis. During his custodianship, ‘LFD 525L’ has been subject to a recent bare-metal body overhaul which has been fully documented in a 400-strong photograph file accompanying the Roadster to sale. There are numerous invoices on file from JC Specialists, for works to the suspension, braking system, cooling system, fuelling system and ignition system which have all been uprated to suit the vendor’s demanding requirements for a usable motorcar in modern traffic.
Upon inspection, it was noted that this fine example presents excellently, which the vendor proudly stated to be the case, due to the recent respray which has been completed to a very high standard. The interior has evidently had much work in the past, and the vendor rates this as being in ‘very good’ order, with a wooden Moto-Lita steering wheel fitted in place of the original. The whole ensemble sits upon a very attractive set of chrome wire wheels which are said to be in 'excellent' condition and appear to be freshly chromed due to their condition. Under the bonnet the 5. 3 Litre V12 presents very well indeed, with SU Carburettors in place of the original Stromberg units having ‘transformed the running’ according to the vendor. In fact, mechanically the Jaguar is said to be in ‘very good order’ all round by the current owner, and he is confident that a new owner will be very pleased with its operation. Upon consignment, the odometer displayed 83, 893 miles which, as evidenced by the MOTs to 1984, the vendor believes to be genuine.
Now offered for sale to make room for other cars in the vendors’ collection, this very attractive Series III (in arguably the best colour combination) will prove a fabulous car that will look equally at home on the show circuit or on long drives across the continent.
