After years of testing and development, Jaguar introduced its first production V-12 to the market in 1971. The new 5.3-liter V-12 was the first mass-produced V-12 to come to market in over 20 years, and Jaguar’s first new engine since the debut of the post-war XK 120 in 1948. Fittingly, it was deployed in the final evolution of the E-Type—a car that had done so much to cement Jaguar’s enviable position as a premier marque.

The 1973 Series 3 Roadster offered here is perhaps the most acclaimed and eminently presentable extant example of those 6,102 left-hand drive Roadsters produced between March 1971 and February 1975. Completed in June 1973, this Signal Red over biscuit leather chassis was delivered new to British Motor Car Distributors in San Francisco, California. An accompanying order sheet lists a four-speed manual transmission, turbine wheels, and whitewall tires at a cost of $8,653 plus delivery.

The car was sold new to Frank Martin, then Vice-President of his eponymous company—a successful enterprise (still in business) which maintained offices in San Francisco and had their headquarters in Seattle, Washington. Martin kept this E-Type in Seattle under a Washington registration, although service invoices also suggest it was taken down to San Francisco at least twice. In October 1975 Martin sold the car to Brian Wagner, also of Seattle, then indicating just shy of 12,000 miles. Shortly thereafter, this Jaguar was acquired by the previous owner, with whom it would become one of the most decorated representatives of the E-Type’s esteemed pedigree. Interestingly, the car has retained its original “1FS104” license plate since new.

Between August 1977 and November 1989, this E-Type claimed over 20 marque concours awards in sanctioned JCNA events across the Pacific Northwest. It was, quite simply and undoubtedly, the most renowned example exhibited in the Western United States during this period.

Historic imagery shows that the previous owner presented the car with its original turbine wheels until some point in 1982, whereupon they were stored away and wire wheels were fitted. A particular highlight of the car’s extensive history file is a 1982 photo of Jaguar legend Lofty England presenting the previous owner with one of many Best in Class awards. This moment is particularly interesting as Mr. England played a critical role in developing the 5.3-liter V-12 engine found in the Series 3 E-Type—in fact, he was CEO of Jaguar Cars when this chassis rolled of the assembly line.

Carefully maintained with a high degree of originality throughout, this award-winning E-type has been serviced by the previous owner since 1975, and as such has only rarely been sublet to marque specialists within the Pacific Northwest. The car is presently accompanied by many concours trophies, service invoices, historic imagery, literature, manuals, tools, boot cover, five original turbine wheels, spare biscuit upholstery set, and an extensive history file documenting its exhibition accolades, including judging sheets from the JCNA.