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.

The firm’s technical director, William Heynes, pushed for the new engine to feature in an extensively redesigned E-Type—and when the Series 3 launched in 1971, it boasted the world’s only mass-production V-12 at the time, and the first to come to market in more than 20 years. Significantly, it was also Jaguar’s first new engine since the debut of the XK 120 in 1948. 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. Generating far greater torque than the earlier straight six-cylinder engine, the V-12 more than compensated for decreases in output due to stricter emissions controls in the Series 2 E-Types.

Jaguar only produced the Series 3 in two body styles, the 2+2 coupe and the roadster. Additionally, the roadster adopted the longer wheelbase of the 2+2, 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 Series 3 E-Type benefits from a previous concours-quality restoration. It was said to have been purchased from an estate in Satellite Beach, Florida in December 1981 with only 72 miles showing on the odometer. Given its pristine condition at the time, it won first in the Jaguar class and first in the British class at the Orange County Classic Car Show shortly thereafter.

In 1989, it is believed to have been sold and shipped to Puerto Rico, where it is said to have exchanged hands again, before being sold to a collector. In 2011, the collector commissioned Kat Kare Motorworks of Puerto Rico, a Jaguar authorized repair facility, for a complete restoration overseen by shop owner and noted Jaguar expert Jamie Del Valle.

Refinished in its original color scheme of Regency Red over beige leather, this Series 3 E-Type features a number of factory options, including an automatic transmission, center-locking chrome wire wheels, color-matched hardtop, air conditioning and heating, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, Smiths instrumentation, and AM/FM radio with cassette player. It is accompanied by factory manuals, spare tire, jack and tool kit. Following its expert restoration, it appears to be among the finest examples of its kind.