To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 24 October
2019.
Estimate:
£120,000 - £140,000
- The final regular-production E-Type roadster
- Offered from twenty-five years of single ownership
- Full, recent restoration to original colour scheme
- Truly a significant automobile in every right
The evolution of the iconic Jaguar E-Type culminated in what many
consider to be a truly lovely driver's car, equal parts sporting
and luxurious. The challenge of updating what Enzo Ferrari called
'the most beautiful car ever made' was driven by demand from U.S.
customers who loved the six-cylinder sports car but wanted more
interior room and refinements like air conditioning. At the same
time, Jaguar's engine team were developing a more refined version
of its V-12 engine 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. The new car,
the Series III, launched in 1971, boasting the world's only
mass-production V-12, producing 266 bhp�enough to propel the
roadster to 146 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. The new
car featured wider tyres, wider track, power steering as standard,
and more powerful brakes. Options included a range of radios, seat
belts, and Sundym tinted glass.
Jaguar decided to end E-Type production in style in 1974. Each of a
final run of 50 black roadsters, known as the 'E-Type
Commemorative', featured a commemorative plaque bearing a facsimile
of Sir William Lyons's signature. The very last of these, chassis
2872, went straight to Jaguar's museum, where it remains today. The
E-Type presented here is the last regular-production E-Type to
leave the Brown's Lane production line, excluding the commemorative
run, chassis 2822.
Built to right-hand-drive specifications, it was ordered in British
Racing Green with tan leather interior and manual gearbox.
Purchased by its current owner in 1994, the car spent most of its
last twenty-five years at the consignor's holiday home in Hawaii,
where it was well preserved and used sparingly. Having been shipped
to the consignor's home in Austria in 2015, a full restoration was
commissioned, which took three years to complete, culminating in a
refinishing in its original British Racing Green, along with new
tan upholstery.
Notably, it features the correct period chrome wire wheels and an
upgraded wooden steering wheel. Original instruments and other
original features have been retained. Incredibly, it has not been
driven since, but has been carefully preserved to ensure it remains
in excellent condition.
Needless to say, this is a historically significant Jaguar that
would stand proud in any collection.
Please note that contrary to the printed catalogue, this lot is
offered with a reserve.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.
