Launched at the Geneva Auto Salon in March 1961 the iconic E-Type Jaguar is widely regarded as one of the most important and pretty cars of all time. Enzo Ferrari described the Jaguar as the most beautiful car in the world, with many regarding the Coupe and Roadster models as perfect from every angle. The Series 1 E-type ran in production from 1961 to 1968, originally fitted with a 3.8 litre until October 1964 where this was increased to 4.2 litre. It produced the same bhp but provided 10% more torque than the 3.8 litre. The first 2+2 Coupe was added to the list of models in 1968. 1968 also saw the Series 2 come along with a number of design changes like missing headlight covers, larger front indicators, wrap around rear bumper and the rear lights repositioned below the bumper. 1971 saw the transformation of the E-Type, now onto the series 3 model. The Series 3 is easily identifiable by the large cross-slatted front grille, flared wheel arches, wider tyres, four exhaust tips and a badge on the rear that proclaims it to be a V12. This gave the Jaguar slightly wider track and less comely front-end styling, but under the bonnet sat the silky smooth 5.3 litre V12 producing 242 Bhp. The E-Type was complete!
This stunning 1972 Jaguar E-type Series 3 2+2 Coupe was originally dispatched by Jaguar on 9th October 1972 to the main Jaguar dealer in Virginia Beach, USA, who sold the car to a Mr Perros from the State of Virginia. He ran a successful chain of Italian restaurants and ordered the Jaguar as a car for his wife to use. The E-type remained with the owner from new until November 2014 where it was sold and imported to the UK by the seller. The Jaguar returned from the USA with just 62,000 miles showing on the odometer.
Once back on UK soil the seller already knew some work would be needed for the car, and so it was shipped off to E-type restoration specialists Rushton Engineering International Ltd in Devon, where Steve and his team were given the task of restoring the E-type to its former glory.
Nothing at all has been skimped on with the restoration. It had the full works, some of which include new floor pans, full engine rebuild with new pistons and liners, retrimmed interior, new wiring and obviously the Jaguar MBZ Silver paint. The full restoration is documented with photographs and presented in a custom made hardback book to showcase them.
The restoration took four years to complete and was finished on schedule for the 2018 Classic Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham where it was put on display, and yes, as you can imagine, it certainly drew in the crowds. After enjoying the restoration and a few years driving the E-type, the seller has now decided it’s time to part with the car, maybe to scratch the itch of an early classic Porsche.
The V5 is present and shows the E-type has 1 previous owner. The MOT on the car expired on 19th April 2019 but is now MOT exempt.
It comes complete with two sets of keys, the original USA handbook plus a reproduction handbook, a workshop manual and original sales brochure. Receipts are plentiful, in fact there is an abundance of invoices with all parts listed that have been bought for the E-type showing just how much work and effort has been put into the restoration. All of this work is topped off with a quality hardback book showing before and after photographs in detail through the stages of the restoration.
The seller has acquired the production record certificate from Jaguar Heritage, showing the chassis, engine and gearbox numbers which are all matching with the car.
Inside, the E-type has received a full retrim in the lovely black leather, which has been completed by BSA International who have been specialising in replacement Jaguar interiors and convertible hoods for the past 30 years.
Sitting in the driver's seat, obviously the car was ordered for the USA and so is left hand drive. The seats, as you would expect, are in excellent condition showing no signs of wear to the squabs or bolsters. You are faced with the lovely wood rim period looking Moto-Lita steering wheel, the seller is including the original wheel with the sale. The odometer is showing 63,413, although in reality after the restoration you can say that the car has only completed a couple of thousand miles. All of the instruments are in excellent condition including the rear of the clocks. This can be seen in the photos of behind the instrument panel, and also worth noting the wiring has been replaced making sure it’s all nice and safe.
Being a USA car, the Jaguar had the optional air conditioning which you’ll be pleased to know is all working and blows ice cold. The rest of the switches and controls are in excellent condition with the writing for each switch clear and legible. Moving across the dashboard is the glovebox. This has been fitted with a DAB radio inside so that you can connect and stream your music. Another nice touch is that it's also a monitor for the reverse camera which comes on automatically when reverse is selected. Lower down is the centre console which has been trimmed in leather to match the seats and holds the original radio cassette. This is not connected as it's not needed with the DAB unit fitted.
The rear seats again are in as new condition and with some added protection for the rear passengers, the E-type has been fitted with inertia seat belts that look factory fit. The carpets have been replaced and so are still like new, as are the door cards, quarter panel trim and the headlining.
Into the boot, and the E-type has had the boot floor trimmed to match the rest of the interior. Under the removable panel is the original spare wheel which does have just a few marks on the rim, and the tyre is new. You will also spot that the car has been treated to Dynamat sound proofing throughout to keep the grand tourer nice and quiet inside. To the left of the spare wheel is the fuel tank, which is also new. Always nice to see, the original jack, tool kit, knock off tool and hammer are present. You will also notice looking around the interior, and particularly when you open the doors and hatch, that all the catches have been re-plated for a factory look.
Where to start! Nothing on the E-type has been left untouched. As mentioned previously, the car was taken to Rushton Engineering International Ltd where the team set to work on the Jag. First was to remove any rot. It was then that it was decided that no expense would be spared and if it was going to be done, it would be done right.
First out were the right and left floor pans along with the boot floor, inner and outer sills and door skins. New panels were supplied by Martin Robey of Nuneaton who are the leading manufacturers and suppliers of panels for E-types and classic Jaguars all over the world. Once the new panels were welded in using the traditional spot welding method, the same as Jaguar used at the factory, the doors, boot and bonnet were aligned and the car was then sent off to Conwy Classic Cars who took the rest of the E-type back to bare metal and gave it a fresh coat of MBZ Silver.
Starting at the front of the E-type, that famous front end sits perfectly, the headlights and indicators are free from any cracks. Chrome bumpers and grille have been re-chromed to give an as new finish along with the light surrounds. Moving up towards the window, and the rubber seals for the windows and doors have been replaced for new, and the A pillar trims have been re-chromed.
Around to the flanks and the door gaps are nice and tight, matching around the doors. The chrome window surrounds have been re-plated and fitted with new rubbers. The glass throughout the car is scratch free that we could see and is also the factory tinted option. Again, the chrome trim and door mirrors and door handles are in as new condition. The quarter windows open up as they should with new rubbers to help them seal.
The rear of the E-type is like the rest of the car, the tailgate aligns straight and true, it opens and closes with the slightest touch. Just so you know what you’re following, the Jaguar E-Type V12 badges are in place, which you guessed it, have been re-chromed and the bumper has received the same treatment. The lights on the back of the jag are free from cracks. There are two reverse lights fitted either side of the number plate along with the tucked away reverse camera.
Onto the wheels, and these have been replaced with some stainless steel replacements to eliminate the spokes going rusty, they still have the stickers on the inside of the rim. New Dunlop SP Aqua Sport tyres have been fitted with a period correct looking tread pattern.
Fitted with the huge 5.3 litre V12 powerhouse producing 242bhp, it’s a pretty much good estimate that this V12 is performing just as good now as when it was new. The 5.3 has been given a full rebuild which included new Mahle pistons and liners along with Perfect Circle piston rings, Gudgeon pins and clips and all the bolts and brackets re-plated or powder coated. The Stromberg carburettors have been stripped, blasted and balanced. The engine work was carried out by Rushton Engineering International Ltd, which is shown in the restoration book.
Whilst the engine rebuild was taking place it was also the perfect time to carry out some upgrades. These included a new high torque starter motor and upgraded alternator. E-types get quite hot when moving slowly around town and so to keep things cool there has been an Alloy header tank and radiator fitted along with electronic climate control fans, which eliminates any overheating issues that could arise. You also have the option to manually switch on the fans. Mated to the 5.3 lump is the Borg Warner 4-speed automatic gearbox. This hasn't been left out on the rebuild front, and was given a full restoration along with the torque converter by Chester Transmission Centre. A full stainless steel exhaust has been fitted and finished with the quad tailpipes which sound fantastic.
On the suspension side of things, the front wishbones have been blasted and re-plated with new bushes fitted, and Gaz adjustable dampers have been used to keep the Jaguar steady in the corners. Vented front discs rebuilt calipers with EBC Green Stuff pads help the E-type come to a halt. Whilst we talk about the brakes, it is worth mentioning that the copper brake pipes have been upgraded with Cunifer brake lines. The independent rear suspension (IRS) has been fully stripped and powder coated, the rear calipers and discs have been upgraded for larger items and also fitted with an Easy Bleed system should the brakes ever need bleeding. Spax rear dampers have been used, which are damping adjustable. Also helping out the handling, the car has received SNG high performance torsion bars fitted.
A full replacement wiring loom has been fitted which has been commissioned for the car. This includes upgrades for the extras, such as the alternator, starter, fans and stereo etc. More importantly, to ensure it’s nice and safe after this extensive restoration.
The V12 fires up with the flick of the key and sounds perfect with no noises that shouldn't be there. The car pulls well and changes smoothly through all the gears with ease along the road, the E-type sits just right and is easy to drive around town with automatic and power assisted steering.
Who doesn't love the look of the Jaguar E-type 2+2 coupe? There is no denying that this one looks absolutely stunning, finished in MBZ Silver. It really is difficult to find fault with this E-Type.
The photographs, sheer amount of receipts and invoices show that this certainly wasn’t a quick makeover to freshen it up. It's been a 4 year, in depth, no expense spared rebuild that's left nothing untouched, and which has been carried out by some of the top of the tree craftsmen in the restoration business, using the highest quality parts available.
Air conditioning, bluetooth stereo, reverse camera and a rebuilt 5.3 litre V12 and 4-speed automatic, what more do you need? Ready to drive and enjoy as much as you like, just jump in and go. It wants for nothing and is definitely a British classic that won’t be around for long.
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1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 Coupe
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