The evolution of the renowned Jaguar E-Type culminated in a truly lovely driver’s car, equal parts sporting and luxurious. Demand from United States customers, who loved the six-cylinder sports car but wanted more interior room and refinements like air conditioning, drove Jaguar to update the E-Type. Jaguar’s engine team, meanwhile, was developing a more refined version of the V-12 that had been destined for Le Mans. When the Series 3 launched in 1971, it boasted the world’s only mass-production V-12, at the time.

Rated at 272 horsepower, Jaguar claimed the new 5.3-liter V-12 propelled the roadster from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and to a top speed of 146 mph. Jaguar only produced the Series 3 as a 2+2 coupe or roadster. Interestingly, both body styles now shared the same wheelbase, making for a larger, more comfortable cabin. The Series 3 featured a wider track, wider wheels and tires, flared wheel arches, a cross-slatted front grille, power steering as standard, and more powerful brakes.

This British Racing Green over Biscuit Series 3 Roadster was acquired by the consignor’s father in 1976, then indicating approximately 10,000 miles. At present, this carefully regarded E-Type indicates just shy of 29,000 actual miles. The car’s attractive and presentable condition today can be attributed to a previous rotisserie restoration provided by the leading marque specialist Stew Jones Restoration of Winsted, Connecticut. This thorough restoration was completed by Jones in 2009, and invoices on file illustrate significant attention paid to the family’s prized Jaguar. The

Biscuit interior is replete with a full suite of correct and desirable furnishing including air conditioning, Kienzle dash clock, radio, Smiths gauges, and distinctive rally-style steering wheel.

The car’s numbers-matching 5.3-liter V-12 engine has been paired with a five-speed manual conversion kit, although the quad-fan exhaust, wire wheels, and disc brakes have been retained. The car is currently accompanied by a matching spare, manual, black boot cover, jack kit, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, and over $200,000 of service invoices dating back to 1981.