2020-05-17 13:34:59 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auciton 5/20
silverstoneauctions.com/events/2020-auctions/the-may-live-auction/the-may-live-a ...

Auction description:
Year of manufacture: 1974
Chassis number: 1S2541
# of cylinders: 12
Transmission: Manual
Engine capacity: 5343
Body colour: Signal Red
LHD/RHD: Right-hand Drive
Registration number: SBH 320M
Model: E-Type Series 3 Roadster
Engine number: 7S13336SB
Interior colour: Black Leather
Odometer Reading: 34700miles

Original UK-supplied, right-hand drive, matching numbers V12 with a manual gearbox and only 34,706 miles from new
Splendidly presented in Signal Red, tinted windows, soft black hide and chrome wire wheels
Rare, factory-painted in Signal Red, 'works' hardtop recently professionally restored
Fastidiously maintained, upgraded and fully detailed by our knowledgeable vendor
Around 6,000 miles in the last four years including two London to Brighton runs
"Retro Car of the Show" from over 800 classics at TECA (Aberdeen) in September 2019

According to its Heritage Certificate, this lovely Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12, OTS was built to UK right-hand drive specification, fitted with a manual gearbox and tinted windows and finished in Signal Red with soft black hide, a black Mohair soft top and, unusually, a factory hardtop also finished in Signal Red. We understand that the optional ‘works’ hardtops were always painted in black, however, there were one or two influential customers who persuaded Jaguar otherwise and, apparently, this is one of two finished in Signal Red. We also understand that it was fully treated with Ziebart Protection from new.

The car’s date of manufacture is listed as 26/10/1973 and it was duly despatched to the supplying dealer, Leigh Park Motors of Datchet, on 14/12/73. With appropriate ceremony, it was handed over in early January 1974 to its excited new owner who was the first of six registered keepers. There is a timeline of ownership with parts of old V5s in the history file and from that, we can establish that the second owner enjoyed the V12 for 28 years with a later owner keeping it for an eight-year period.

Originally the underside of the bonnet had been Ziebart protected but, in addition to adding unnecessary weight, it quickly becomes unsightly so a previous owner had the bonnet off and washed the underside in petrol regularly for a week in order to remove all the black Ziebart from the underside leaving the bonnet paintwork completely original. At the same time as the bonnet was off, the engine was removed, the space frame repainted, and the rear engine seal and clutch were replaced. There is an invoice in the file detailing this work which was carried out at circa 27,000 miles. Our vendor is the car’s sixth keeper and, having satisfied himself as to the car’s remarkable originality, took possession 16/08/2016 at a warranted mileage of 28,600.

This lovely Series 3 has patently been cherished by all its owners as evidenced by its remarkably low mileage and sparkling condition. The shut lines are to factory standard and the vendor informs us the paintwork appears excellent (apart from the frequently stone-chipped panel under the front bumper) and retains a good depth of finish. It has been regularly serviced and maintained throughout its life and our fastidious vendor has certainly kept up that tradition. He has kindly provided details of work carried out during his ownership as listed below;

The original factory special order Signal Red hardtop was fully restored by Classic Restorations of Alyth retaining the original rear screen with its supplying dealer sticker.

Uprated headlight units, originals with the car. Locking fuel cap, original with the car.

Fitted 5 new MWS, 74-spoke, chrome wire wheels with period correct Pirelli tyres, complete with new bearings, hubs and knock-off spinners.

Recarpeted the interior using Jonathan Skinner specially manufactured materials. Recovered the rear parcel shelf/lid and armrest box.

Applied Dynamat sound insulation and carpet insulation to floor

Replaced seat foams and base support, sun visors and headrests

Changed steering wheel for a special order leather-covered Moto-Lita. Original with the car.

Replaced the radio with a DAB Pioneer. Original Radiomobile with the car.

Independent Rear Suspension unit (IRS) frame powder coated. , and differential rebuilt by Hardy Engineering, Leatherhead. 3.07:1 Crown and Pinion wheel was replaced with the same.

All 6 shock absorbers replaced with GAZ fully adjustable units, new springs for the IRS. Poly-bushed front end.

Corrected the low ride height to factory spec.

New rear brakes. Front brakes rebuilt. Brake Pressure Differential assembly and Brake Master cylinder replaced.

Front under the nose repainted due to stone chipping.

Radiator removed and repaired. Replaced 90% of the hoses, system filled with original Bluecol antifreeze

Replaced the oil pressure control valve and sender unit

New diaphragms and damper cap assemblies fitted to all 4 Strombergs

Engine serviced with new spark plugs, filters, and Valvoline specialist 20:50 oil at 34,700 miles, zero miles since.

Our vendor has really enjoyed the car during the past four years covering just under 6,000 miles in that time including a couple of London to Brighton runs and a visit to the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre (TECA) in September 2019 when it won 'Retro Car of the Show' against over 800 others.

It's supplied with a storage cover and the owner's file contains extensive documentation including maintenance and service invoices, the original brown wallet, Owner's Manual and Service Records, older MOTs, documented previous ownership and V5s, the Heritage Certificate and an MOT.

This delightful Series 3 ticks all the boxes. It's an original UK-supplied, RHD, matching numbers car with a manual gearbox and only 34,706 miles from new (at the time of cataloguing). It's in a classic colour combination with unmolested bodywork, Ziebart corrosion protected from new, with perfect shut lines, is supplied with a rare and valuable factory hardtop in body colour, has been fastidiously maintained in all respects, been lavished with worthwhile upgrades and much attention over the last three years and recently fully detailed with Swissvax giving the car a glass-like finish.

The essence of this immaculate car is its originality and naturally, it would be at home in any collection of 'Best of Breed' classic Jaguars, however, it might just be difficult to resist the temptation to pop the hardtop in the corner of the garage and head off into the country on a warm Summer's afternoon.