In 1971 the Jaguar E-Type was 10 years old and needed a new lease of life. However, history repeated itself and the new series III was a huge success when Jaguar debuted its robust new engine in a sports car instead of a sedan, for which it was designed. Despite its sports-car heritage, Jaguar depended on sedans for their survival and had developed its twelve cylinder unit to power them with sufficient torque and refinement. It was beefy enough to handle up to 7.0 litres displacement, but an initial volume of 5.3 was chosen. The all-aluminium single-cam V12 was about three inches longer than the inline-six, and though it outweighed the six by less than 75lbs, it still tipped the scales at almost 700lbs. Jaguar rated it at 272hp in Europe and 314 in the United States. The new engine fitted in the same bay as the six, but to allow for greater leg room Jaguar shelved the convertible's 96 inch wheelbase and gave all series IIIs the 105 inch span previously exclusive to the 2+2 coupés. A larger radiator inlet with formal grillwork and subtle wheel arches to clear wider tires were further changes. Larger and softer in nature, with weight redistributed 53/47, the Series III had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited. Robert Bell in Motorsport was quoted as saying at the time that they: ""all expected to try a new engine. What in fact they drove was a new car. Not a yowling, aggressive Ferrari-like machine,"" with which, perhaps, most people associated a V12 engine, ""but a very smooth, quiet and refined grand touring sports car."" Finished in the characteristically 70s Jaguar colour scheme of sable with beige leather interior and with only 19,800 documented miles from new, this extremely original example of Jaguar's big V12 roadster comes with wire wheels, its original automatic gearbox as well as an enormous file of bills and invoices stretching back to the 1970s. RLJ197M is currently in the possession of its third owner, stored in a heated warehouse and is maintained within a large private collection of classic cars. Complete with an MoT test certificate and Swansea V5C registration document, this stunningly authentic V12 roadster represents an excellent opportunity to acquire an extremely low-mileage example of the last generation of E-Types produced.
In 1971 the Jaguar E-Type was 10 years old and needed a new lease of life. However, history repeated itself and the new series III was a huge success when Jaguar debuted its robust new engine in a sports car instead of a sedan, for which it was designed. Despite its sports-car heritage, Jaguar depended on sedans for their survival and had developed its twelve cylinder unit to power them with sufficient torque and refinement. It was beefy enough to handle up to 7.0 litres displacement, but an initial volume of 5.3 was chosen. The all-aluminium single-cam V12 was about three inches longer than the inline-six, and though it outweighed the six by less than 75lbs, it still tipped the scales at almost 700lbs. Jaguar rated it at 272hp in Europe and 314 in the United States. The new engine fitted in the same bay as the six, but to allow for greater leg room Jaguar shelved the convertible's 96 inch wheelbase and gave all series IIIs the 105 inch span previously exclusive to the 2+2 coupés. A larger radiator inlet with formal grillwork and subtle wheel arches to clear wider tires were further changes. Larger and softer in nature, with weight redistributed 53/47, the Series III had lost the wildness of its youth but gained the long legged touring profile to which it was arguably better suited. Robert Bell in Motorsport was quoted as saying at the time that they: ""all expected to try a new engine. What in fact they drove was a new car. Not a yowling, aggressive Ferrari-like machine,"" with which, perhaps, most people associated a V12 engine, ""but a very smooth, quiet and refined grand touring sports car."" Finished in the characteristically 70s Jaguar colour scheme of sable with beige leather interior and with only 19,800 documented miles from new, this extremely original example of Jaguar's big V12 roadster comes with wire wheels, its original automatic gearbox as well as an enormous file of bills and invoices stretching back to the 1970s. RLJ197M is currently in the possession of its third owner, stored in a heated warehouse and is maintained within a large private collection of classic cars. Complete with an MoT test certificate and Swansea V5C registration document, this stunningly authentic V12 roadster represents an excellent opportunity to acquire an extremely low-mileage example of the last generation of E-Types produced.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
