1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III Drophead (RHD)
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Highlights
• Rare to find colour and specification
• UK RHD delivered from new
• Manual Gearbox
• Been in the same ownership over 40 years
• Money no object maintenance
• Great history file
• Incredibly honest condition
• Ready for its next adventure
The Appeal
If you know cars, then you know the story of the E-Type.
A stalwart of 60s and 70s fashion the sleek GT car was known for its thunderous performance and sexy appearance. The Series III was the end of the line for the E-Type, and this example could be one of the best out there.
With a rare combination of, right-hand drive, a V12 connected to the manual gearbox, and then finished in Lavender Blue. This is a proper looker.
This example has been in the same ownership for over 40 years. In that time this car has had anything and everything that it needed, with invoices to back this sentiment up.
The time has now come for the E-Type to start its next chapter in life with you behind the wheel.
The History and Paperwork
- Built in August of 1973 this E-Type makes its way from Coventry to London
- Once in London, it gets sold at Henley’s, London
- Interestingly the keys still bear the Henley’s of London key ring
- Only three owners until it settled with its current owner in 1981
- Since 1981 the car has been a cherished possession of the current owner who has always kept this classic car up to date with regular maintenance
- Along with the V5, and Heritage Certificate, there is a nicely collated history folder
- This folder will take you through the entire ownership of the past 40 plus years
- It starts in 1981 where we find an invoice from Phillips Garage in Birmingham who carry out some service work
- We carry on through the 80s and 90s where the car is kept up to date, but this paperwork has sadly gone
- The trail is picked up again in 1998 and carries on into this century
- In 2006 there is a large quote for £5,400. This corresponds to some bodywork that was needed at the time. There are accompanying photos that show the work being carried out by Southern Classics
- The invoice for the estimate ends up being an eye-watering £8,739
- Hopefully, this is showing the amount of love this E-Type has received
- The story is the same the next year, with a large invoice to cover the work carried out that year
- In 2008 it goes back to Southern Classics for a bit of tune up and other ancillaries
- The list goes on and on, the majority of the paperwork has been photographed and can be found in the gallery below
- The most recent invoice is from June of this year where it goes in for a full service and some other work
- All in there is about £40,000 worth of invoices in the folder, you can quite easily spend an afternoon looking through this stack of paperwork
- The excellent DVLA Mot history is continuous each year from when this service was introduced and shows little annual mileage yet regular use even if just to the Mot station.
- If you would like a more concise list of parts fitted over the current ownership, they are as follows
- New OPUS Ignition system, new chrome furniture, Halogen headlamps, new distributor, new seat covers, new gear lever, new cigarette lighter, new elbow rest, new seat belts, new rear end bushes
- New boot carpets, new main compartment carpets, new bumpers front and rear, replacement of all hoses, new wheels, and spinners all around, new discs and callipers all around, new brake pipes all around handmade, new fuel pipes handmade
- New windscreen washer bottle, reconditioned carburettors, new right hand exhaust manifold, new radiator and twin cooling fans, new water pump, new fan belts, a new set of NGK plugs, new roof, new tonneau cover, new number plates, new chrome exhaust final section and finally new reversing lamps
- Hopefully, you are starting to gain an appreciation for how cherished this E-Type has been
The Interior
- New seat covers
- Boot section re-trimmed
- Full custom made tonneau cover
- Renewed carpets
- Right hand drive
Sitting in any other car will only pale in comparison to what it’s like to sit inside an E-Type. From behind the Jaguar embossed wheel, you are in control of a truly wild cat.
One of the best views in the automotive world is peering over the top of the steering wheel and out across the vast bonnet of an E-Type.
This example, as you have probably gathered after the paperwork section, has been looked after in such a way that the interior is presented very well for its age indeed.
One of the jobs carried out by the current owner was to get the seat recovered. As you can imagine, after some years the originals would have been looking a bit second hand, so why not treat it to some new covers? Both the driver and passenger seats are still presented with very good leather condition and are very clean indeed.
Located just behind the rear seats is a handy bench/storage compartment that makes this classic even more practical.
Looking towards the floor, we are met with some lovely matching blue carpets. These are one of the many areas that the current owner has renewed over their ownership. Today they still look in good condition and will serve you well throughout your ownership.
Moving up from the floor to the dash, we are met with the characteristic bank of Smiths dials and fighter jet-style toggle switches. The Smiths dials all work and provide seemingly correct information (a photo of these working can be found in the gallery) this appears to be the same for the toggles as well, although this wasn’t tested during the shoot, we can only imagine they all work.
If you look hard enough then sure you will come across the odd mark, but this is part of the character of the car. Each one of these marks is a chapter in the car's story, as the current owner has never been scared to use it, but it does look extremely good for a car of its age. We all start to show marks when we are approaching 60 don’t, we?
The condition doesn’t stop with the part of the interior that you can see.
The boot section has also had some attention put into it. It’s been re-trimmed with some lovely tan leather and is now more than clean enough to place your luggage in. Under the leather, you will find a clean spare wheel well, with the corresponding wire wheel to match the rest. There is also a tool kit that will be included.
With this being a roadster or drophead, then of course it comes with the bonus of a removable top. Inside the condition is wonderful and clean.
When up the roof fits nicely and when retracted it is hidden by the custom tonneau cover. This cover manages to conceal the entire inside, this is thanks to a steering wheel and headrest pockets.
Overall, the interior of this E-Type is in lovely condition. From the cabin to the boot, it is ready for you to hop in and go. What are you waiting for?
The Exterior
- New chrome parts
- Finished in rare Lavender Blue
- Chrome wire wheels with whitewalls
- Iconic styling
Is there any more of an iconic shape than the Jaguar E-Type?
Possibly not. Its long sleek bonnet has a pronounced bulge in the middle, hinting at the fire-breathing heart underneath. This example sits very pretty indeed in its Lavender Blue paintwork.
We understand that its paint colour is extremely rare to find on a UK E-Type with only 137 examples ever made in Lavender Blue.
The paintwork across the board is in good condition. As you might expect there are a few blemishes around, but there doesn’t appear to be any large, or obvious areas of paint defect. At the end of the day, this car has been used, but very much cherished by the current owner.
Another reason for the car's lack of defects is the fact that it was treated with Ziebart rust prevention in all of the large cavities. This was prior to our owners purchase and may have been from new. It is evidenced by the yellow plugs that you will see dotted about.
During its life, some of the original aging parts have been replaced with lovely shiny replacements. Some of these include new chrome bumpers on the front and rear, these were polished very well for the photoshoot leaving a mirror like finish.
The most important part of a drop head, the soft top roof section, is presented in amazing condition. This is another part that has been replaced during the current ownership and has always been left up to let the fabric bed in and stretch correctly.
Whether you have the roof up, or down, the lines of this E-Type are not spoilt.
If you like cars like this, then why not treat yourself to this example? The exterior condition is amazing, and it will always make you smile.
It also has so much curb appeal, park this and the newest Ferrari next to each other, and this car will probably garner more attention.
The Mechanics
- New OPUS Ignition System
- Top-end overhaul including new valves at 60,000 miles
- Manual gearbox
- Motorsport derived V12
As the E-Type entered its twilight years it was fitted with the very large and capable V12.
Interestingly this engine started its life destined to be part of motorsport history with the sadly stillborn XJ13 Le Mans Project. What else is there to do with a dead project than use it to enhance one of your best hits?
As you can probably tell by now, this E-Type has been looked after properly when it comes to the mechanical elements.
It has always been taken to the best specialist Jaguar workshops around for regular work. We have already been through the large list of parts that have been renewed or replaced in the paperwork section but be rest assured that all of the mechanical parts still work in perfect harmony today.
You may have stumbled across a few Series III E-Types in your past, but it is very rare to come across a RHD manual car. As many of these grand tourers were either exported overseas in LHD configuration or fitted with an automatic gearbox for more comfort.
Over the current ownership it has enjoyed a regular annual mileage and thanks to this, the current owner is very confident in the car's ability stating that they would happily drive to the south of France without hesitation.
It is the combination of V12 and a manual gearbox that make the E-Type a proper sporty grand tourer.
It is time for you to pack your bags, get comfortable, and explore some of the best driving roads behind the wheel of this beautifully maintained British classic.
Summary
Hopefully, throughout this description, we have been able to convey the amount of time, money, and love that has been poured into this car over the past 40 years of ownership.
Spending time with the owner it was clear that they are incredibly passionate about this car, and you will be inheriting all of this love and attention in the form of a rare E-Type.
You do not want to miss out on the opportunity of adding this car to your collection.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
Vehicle specification
- Year 1973
- Make Jaguar
- Model E-Type Series III Drophead (RHD)
- Colour Lavender Blue
- Odometer 84,062 Miles
- Engine size 5343
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Torquay
- Location Devon
- Country United Kingdom
18
bids
- R1•••• £72,000 20/10/22
- R1•••• £45,000 20/10/22
- ed•••• £40,000 20/10/22
- mo•••• £37,000 20/10/22
- re•••• £36,500 20/10/22
- R1•••• £36,000 20/10/22
- du•••• £32,500 20/10/22
- ma•••• £32,000 20/10/22
- mo•••• £30,000 20/10/22
- ma•••• £25,000 20/10/22
The Gallery
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