1973 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 (Series 3) |

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1973 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 (Series 3)

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£31,000

Mileage~82,499 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine5.3L
LocationEdinburgh

SOLD

1973 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 (Series 3)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Colin Bashford

Professional Consigner

Renowned as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, the E-Type gained a V12 with the arrival of the Series III.

There are cars that turn heads, and then there are cars that stop time. This 1973 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 Series 3 belongs firmly in the latter category. By the early 1970s, the E-Type had evolved into its most mature and effortless form. Beneath that unmistakable silhouette lies Jaguar’s mighty 5.3-litre V12, silky, sonorous and endlessly charismatic, delivering performance with a sense of occasion that few cars, then or now, can match. The 2+2 configuration adds a layer of grand touring civility, offering extra space and long-legged comfort without diluting the drama that made the E-Type an icon.

This is not a car that shouts; it seduces. From the length of its bonnet to the gentle taper of the tail, every line feels intentional, elegant and timeless. Slip behind the wheel and you’re not simply driving, you’re participating in one of motoring’s greatest stories, a moment when British engineering, design and ambition aligned perfectly.

This example comes to market after having covered only around 2,000 miles since 2018. Finished in the popular Primrose Yellow colour, the car was treated to a bare-metal respray in 1996 and has also benefitted from an interior retrim. The car spent approximately 22 years on the Channel Island of Jersey between 1994 and 2016, and is accompanied by a large history file containing invoices totalling over £50,000 dating back to 1994.

This listing was written from information supplied by Colin after meeting Robert the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Having always admired the E-Type, Robert seized the opportunity to own this stunning example.

Robert, the owner, tells us that he always loved the shape and presence of the model, and he couldn’t resist the opportunity to own this car in such stunning condition, accompanied by such a comprehensive history file.

Robert has decided to pass this beautiful Series III on to a new custodian who will give it the use it deserves.

Robert will be happy to answer any questions in the comments section below.

Robert

Vehicle Owner

Robert saved £5,580* when they
sold their Jaguar with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

With its trademark long bonnet, the E-Type, in fixed-head coupé form, is a sleek and timeless design.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with the correct Series III chrome wheels, all of which present in lovely condition and show very little sign of age. Robert sourced an additional matching wheel to use as a spare; however, it is not quite in the same condition as the four fitted wheels.

The E-Type is fitted with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres in 205/70 R15 specification, dated 2015.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The bodywork on the E-Type presents in great condition, with no major concerns noted. A couple of small bubbles were observed beneath the paint on the tailgate, as highlighted in the photographs. The doors, bonnet and boot all open and close well, although the passenger door is slightly stiff. Being particularly picky, the driver’s door is not quite flush, though all other panel gaps appear visually even.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view at what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paint finish presents very well, with even coverage throughout. The car was treated to a bare-metal respray in 1996, shortly after arriving in Jersey, with photographs of this work included in the history gallery.

A couple of minor paint imperfections were noted: slight cracking on the nearside rear wing just below the window, and a small area at the top of the bonnet. There are also the odd stone chips present, though nothing of any concern. Due to the cold morning, some condensation marks were visible, which made the paint appear slightly flat in places; however, this was only temporary.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass throughout the E-Type presents in great condition, with no chips or cracks noted. The car features tinted windows, which are quite rare, and the front windscreen is also fitted with a sun-visor tint.

All trim appears present and correct, and is in very good condition throughout. The brightwork presents particularly well and is securely fitted, with excellent seals.

A very small dent was noted on the upper section of the front grille surround, and the vent on the boot lid shows some signs of age.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Having undergone a re-trim, including the dashboard, the interior of this E-Type is a delightful place to be.

Seats and Carpets

Fitted with black leather seats, which were re-trimmed at the same time as the bare-metal respray, the seats have retained their shape very well over the years, with no rips or tears observed. In the rear, it appears that the seatbelts have been removed.

The black carpets also present in good condition, with no stains noted.

Dashboard

The dashboard was recovered during the interior re-trim and presents in excellent condition, with no cracks or splits observed.

All switchgear also appears in very good condition, with Robert demonstrating several of the switches in working order. The odometer read approximately 82,499 miles at the time of our visit.

The car has been fitted with a modern radio featuring MP3 capabilities.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The three-spoke leather-rimmed steering wheel showed some signs of age on the rim, as might be expected from a car of this vintage.

The gearstick and handbrake also appeared in good condition, with the white numbering on the black gear knob remaining clear and legible.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The potential of the 5.3-litre V12 is fully realised the moment you give the throttle a confident prod.

Engine and Gearbox

Starting the engine presented no issues. Robert noted that it can be a little spluttery until it reaches operating temperature, but on this initial start-up it ran well and smoothed out as the engine warmed. Robert told us there is a slight blow from the exhaust, it doesn't make the engine louder but will need some investigation.

The engine performed admirably on the road, with gears engaging positively. A couple of slight crunches were noted during some gear changes, but Robert explained that he had the seat a little too far back so he wasn't depressing the clutch fully.

We did notice what appeared to be small water leak beneath the car when we stopped at the photo location - Robert believed this was due to topping up the antifreeze right to the brim the day before our visit, we didn't notice it when we got back to Robert's house after the photo location.

Please take a look at the cold start video below to see for yourself the performance of the engine and gearbox.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension performed well on the road, with no unusual noises noted from beneath the car during our drive with Robert.

The brakes felt reassuring and effective, bringing the car to a stop as you would expect from a sports car of this era.

Robert mentioned that the handbrake can be temperamental, so he usually leaves the car in gear when parked. It would be advisable to have the handbrake checked out.

The Drive

On the way to the photo location, we enjoyed a short run in the E-Type, during which it performed very well. The drive certainly lives up to the car’s striking looks, offering a compliant ride and an engine that begs to be revved. Robert demonstrated this on the return journey, taking a slightly longer route; first gear is capable of reaching up to 30mph.

Electrics and Other

While we tested some of the electrical components, including the radio and interior fan, all the dials appeared to be functioning correctly.

We did not test everything, but Robert confirmed that all systems are in working order, with the exception of the reverse light, which will require investigation.

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History and Paperwork

The car comes with a comprehensive history file documenting its life from 1994 to the present, with over ~£50,000 spent, including a circa £20,000 bare-metal respray and interior re-trim in 1996.

This E-Type has had a well-documented life since 1994, when it was exported to Jersey in the Channel Islands. At that time, it underwent a bare-metal respray and interior re-trim, with photographs of the respray included in the paperwork gallery below. More recently, the car has covered only around 2,000 miles since 2018. It is MOT and road tax exempt.

This represents a fantastic opportunity to own a rare and highly desirable manual Series 3 V12 E-Type. Robert has also included some spare parts with the sale, including the correct fishtail exhaust.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
16.10.2018	MOT	80,615
31.10.2017	MOT	80,172
07.11.2016	MOT	78,889
18.02.2016	MOT	77,613
31.03.1994	MOT	70,265
12.10.1993	MOT	70,141
04.1996	Bare Metal Respray/Re-Trim