1974 JAGUAR E TYPE SERIES III V12 ROADSTER

1974 JAGUAR E TYPE SERIES III V12 ROADSTER
Bonhams Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Chassis no. UE1S25820BW
Engine no. 7S10301LA
5,343cc SOHC V12 Engine
4 Zenith Stromberg Carburetors
264bhp at 5,750rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Rare manual transmission example of the V12 E-Type
*Over $20,000 in receipts document restoration and maintenance work
*The final evolution of the legendary E-Type
*Believed to be 64,000 miles from new
*A striking example of a British motoring icon
THE JAGUAR E-TYPE SERIES III
Few self-respecting automotive connoisseurs could ever ignore that iconic 20th Century classic, the E-Type Jaguar. From its sensational launch with its 3.8-liter 6-cylinder 'XK' series engine in 1961 to its final expression as the 5.3-liter V12-engined Series III model twenty years later, Coventry's finest was not only an aspirational supercar of its era, but also a generally attainable one – always offering would-be owners tremendous value for the money.
It was in 1971 that Jaguar introduced the Series III with the Walter Hassan/Harry Mundy-developed 5.3-liter SOHC V12 engine which became an industry standard for its combination of smoothly unobtrusive torque and power. The new V12 was standardized upon the 105-inch longer-wheelbase floor pan of the 2-plus-2 variant, and only roadster and 2-plus-2 models were produced, Jaguar's preceding short-wheelbase Fixed-Head Coupe body style being discontinued.
With the large cross-slatted radiator grille – described by Motor Sport magazine as "a decorative birdcage" – flared wheel arches accommodating wider track and bigger tires, plus V12 nomenclature adorning the tail, these Series III cars continued all the American Federal Regulations features of the preceding Series II models while also adopting uprated brakes and power steering as standard. From the new Series' launch in 1971 to the end of production in 1975, some 15,200 were manufactured.
A V12 Roadster model, finished in red with black hardtop, was road tested by Motor magazine in November 1971, proving itself to be the quickest Jaguar model up to 100mph that the magazine had ever tested – taking 15.4 seconds from rest. The car's 0-60mph time was only 6.4secs while it could cover the standing-start quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds. Autocar magazine declared that the new V12 engine was just "superb, smooth power with virtually no mechanical noise at all (rare for a V12) and with little exhaust noise – from 70mph to 140mph wind noise is by far the loudest sound and even that is by no means excessive".
The Series III V12's "natural cruising speed" proved to be around 125mph, and influential American market publication Road & Track extolled the fact that "...the E-Type is an easy car to drive and is most at home when driven fast...a very predictable car with excellent balance between ride and handling. The ride is soft but very well controlled and even at high speeds there is no tendency towards front end lift or wander. Characteristics are forgiving to the inexperienced driver but useful to the more skillful during fast motoring."
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Robert Myrick Photography