Estimated Price: £200,000 - £240,000

Few motor cars enjoy the enduring status of the Jaguar E-Type and fewer still can claim to represent the definitive conclusion of one of Britain's most celebrated automotive icons. Built during the final month of E-Type production, this exceptional Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Commemorative Roadster is one of just 50 right-hand drive examples specially commissioned by Jaguar to mark the end of an extraordinary production run. The very early ‘Outside Bonnet Lock’ cars and the Commemorative Edition neatly bookend the wonderful story of Jaguar’s legendary E-Type.

Finished exclusively in Black with a Cinnamon leather interior, the Commemorative models were instantly recognisable by their distinctive specification, each carrying an engraved bronze plaque bearing its individual chassis number together with the facsimile signature of Sir William Lyons. Just one exception to the colour scheme was produced, a special Green example built for a noted Jaguar collector. Of the 50 cars completed between 15th May and 12th June 1974, only 31 were fitted with the desirable four-speed manual gearbox, making this example one of the rarest and most sought-after production E-Types ever offered by the factory.

Displaying a genuine 18,500 recorded miles from new and benefiting from exceptionally low ownership, this matching-numbers example has enjoyed the sort of custodianship that its rarity deserves. Acquired by the current owner some 12 years ago, it was immediately entrusted to Cheshire Classic Cars for a comprehensive, bare-shell restoration, undertaken with the singular objective of returning the car to a standard befitting its significance. A detailed photographic record of the restoration accompanies the history file and illustrates the remarkable attention paid throughout the rebuild.

The programme of works extended well beyond the body restoration, encompassing a complete strip and rebuild of the original V12 engine to ensure that the car performs every bit as impressively as it presents. The interior was subsequently entrusted to the renowned Suffolk & Turley, whose craftsmanship has resulted in a beautifully finished cabin, faithful to the car's original specification and entirely in keeping with the exceptional quality of the restoration.

Equally impressive is the accompanying factory hardtop, itself fully restored to an equally exacting standard. Please note that the hardtop will require collection from the vendor in North Yorkshire following the sale.

Accompanying the car are its original owner's manuals, tool roll, jack, factory hardtop and, of course, the all-important Commemorative plaque mounted on the glovebox lid - features that further reinforce its originality and desirability.

The opportunity to acquire one of only 31 right-hand drive manual Commemorative Roadsters is one that rarely presents itself. Combining remarkable originality, exceptionally low mileage, matching-numbers integrity and an uncompromising restoration, this is an E-Type of genuine collector quality and one that would sit comfortably amongst the finest Jaguar collections anywhere. We welcome and encourage your inspection to fully appreciate the quality, provenance and rarity of this remarkable final-edition E-Type.