2004-09-10 18:40:14 | David Roome writes:

Think car was dark blue but at some time sprayed black.

2004-09-10 18:48:13 | Lofty writes:

Car has tan soft top

2008-02-15 04:50:57 | David writes:

This car has been restored in the USA original colour I think was dark Blue

2023-07-17 09:57:46 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1973-jaguar-e-type-series-3-v12-roadster-nMPzbg

Seller's description:

1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster

Colour Black

Odometer 65,653 Miles

Engine size 5300

Auction DetailsSeller Type Private

Town Dublin

Country Ireland

Matching numbers car beautifully finished in black over biscuit

Low mileage car in long term ownership of a Jaguar collector

Equipped with Jaguar’s superlative, super-smooth V12 engine 

Very well preserved and presented car that’s ready to use

Late model V12 E-Types are highly usable convertible GTs

Factory specification recorded on Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate number 39153:

Confirms that this is a matching numbers 

Originally finished in very dark blue over tan

Built on 21st February 1973

Despatched to British Leyland New York on 26th March 1973

Chassis records confirm:

U denotes a USA car

D denotes 1973

Chassis numbering confirm this is a 1973 built car

BW denotes Borg Warner equipped automatic gearbox car

One of 6,119 LHD V12 convertibles built of which 2,128 are believed remaining

From New York the car was sold into California

The car was sourced for the seller in San Francisco and imported to Ireland to join his collection in early 1990

Repainted prior to its arrival in Ireland in black to a high standard 

The mileage on acquisition was 51,519

Sold with its original:

Marketing literature

Maintenance booklet

Car serviced and maintained by seller’s own mechanic as part of a large collection:

Seller states that his annual maintenance expenditure on his cars exceeds £30,000

He also states that whatever the car needed, it got - his mechanic would present him with a list of parts and he bought them

Used to launch various Jaguar Ireland showrooms

The Interior

Very original, well preserved biscuit leather interior nicely contrasts with the black bodywork

Series 3 cars are built on the 2+2 E-Type platform so have bigger cockpits and doors for easier access

Original three-spoke leather rimmed Series 3 steering wheel in very good condition reflecting the low mileage

Air conditioning model, although the a/c likely requires regassing

Remotely operated ‘oyster’ chromed wing mirrors

Dashboard and switchgear in very good condition

Additional central vents as fitted to US market cars

Seller confirms that all gauges work

Dashboard, fascia trim and fittings and dials all in very good condition

Plaque on glovebox commemorates this car’s inclusion in the 30th anniversary 1991 E Type ‘1000 cars’ event at Donington

Cabin trim and carpets in excellent condition 

Door cards and fittings in similarly well preserved condition 

Jack, tool bag, lead hammer and wheel removal tool included 

12 years on from the launch of the original, Jaguar wisely stuck to what it knew and owners of those first cars would have found much familiarity in this later car. But it is subtly different with more space - thanks to Series 3 cars being based on the 2+2 platform, and bigger, more luxuriously padded leather seats. US market cars such as this also got remotely operated chromed wing mirrors, air conditioning and, a bonus for serial E Type owners, much better ventilation.

The interior of this car retains its factory correct biscuit finish and is in very good condition. It is very original, right down to the attractive leather-rimmed, three spoke wheel and period-correct radio, and there is minimal wear to be seen on any of the switchgear and trim. We understand that the air conditioning may need a regas but otherwise this classy interior looks virtually as it left the factory 50 years ago.

This car is one of the 1,000 E-Types that assembled at Donington for the car’s 30th anniversary in 1991 and a metal plaque on the glovebox records this. 

The Exterior 

High quality black paintwork in very good condition with no discernible marks or scratches

The car is structurally excellent with no visible corrosion and clean, clear panel gaps and lines

Tan fabric soft top in good condition with clear Perspex panels, possibly a later retrim

Federal specification with side marker lights and slightly larger bumper over-riders

Chrome and trim in very good condition with no visible pitting or stone chips

Very attractive wire wheels shod with whitewall tyres with plenty if tread

Always garaged in doors as part of a large classic car collection 

Stylish chrome boot rack

Tonneau cover in matching biscuit finish 

Classic vaned chrome exhaust exit trim 

This car left the factory painted dark blue so the current black finish is a later respray prior to the car’s purchase in 1990 by the seller. The work has clearly been done to a high standard as the paint finish is very good, although this likely also reflects the fastidious care of the owner. The black is neatly accented by the chromework on this car which is in similarly very good condition, including the stylish rear boot rack. As a USA market car it has the side marker lights and larger chrome over-riders of American E-Types. 

The bodywork is very straight with even panel gaps and good shut lines, particularly around the often tricky doors. If it has been restored then it has been done to a very high standard. 

The car sits on attractive deep dish chrome wires equipped with white wall tyres.

The Mechanics 

5.3litre V12 running on double twin carburettors developing around 285bhp

3spd automatic gearbox 

Maintained without concern for expense by the seller, a classic car collector

All work since 1990 undertaken by the seller’s in-house mechanic

Ignition system updated to later Opus 2 system for improved reliability 

It is a low mileage car that has been carefully maintained by the seller since 1990 as part of his large classic car collection. He has his own dedicated mechanic who services and maintains the cars. It is a matching numbers car confirmed by the Heritage Certificate in its comprehensive history file.