Beschreibung:

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 314hp 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 III's 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 70's Jaguar colour scheme of Carman Red with black leather interior, this fine example of Jaguar's big V12 roadster comes with wire wheels, its original automatic gearbox has covered 68,400 miles from new. PWL355M comes with a history file from 1984 showing that the car had a major body restoration in March 1986 which included replacing the outer sills and wing panels. In 1999 the engine was replaced with a new bare engine from a none-HE, XJS, the replacement engine had only covered 70,000 miles, The current owner purchased the car in 1999 just after this work was carried out at 66,000 miles and over the last twelve years has a lead free fuel converter fitted, the rear axle and rear brakes overhauled and improved radiator fans fitted. The car has had little use by the last owner having only driven the car for about 2,300 miles then taking the car off the road and storing it over the winter months. Complete with a MoT test certificate which expires in June 2012and Swansea V5C registration document, this classic V12 roadster represents an excellent opportunity to acquire an extremely sound example of the last generation of Jaguar E-Types produced.