1972 Jaguar E Type S3 FHC
“ With a history file larger than the Bodleian Library and forming part of a wonderful collection since 1983 this is a car not to miss. ”
Being offered as part of our curated auction in conjunction with the Jaguar Drivers' Club and their 70th Anniversary at Brooklands on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Background
The E Type was first launched in 1961, just 16 years after the end of the war. 

So, young men (and women) who’d dreamed of flying Spitfires when they were children in 1945 were almost guaranteed to fall head over heels for a car that looked like a fighter plane from the outside and had a cockpit and dashboard that would have made any elaborately-moustachioed and Brylcreemed RAF pilot feel right at home. 

Their fathers would have been bank managers or family doctors, worn tweed and brogues, smoked a briar pipe, and driven an Alvis or a Riley. 

But this next generation were architects, advertising execs or designers, wore slip-ons and turtle-necks, smoked Rothmans filter-tipped and, if they were very lucky, drove an E Type. 

One consequence of the E Type's long process of development had been a gradual increase in weight, but a good measure of the resulting loss of performance was restored in 1971 with the arrival of what would be the final version – the Series III V12. 

Weighing only 80lb more than the cast-iron-block, 4.2-litre XK six, the new all-alloy, 5.3-litre V12 produced 272bhp, an output good enough for a top speed in excess of 220km/h. 

Further good news was that a 0-60mph time of under 7 seconds made the V12 the fastest-accelerating E Type ever.

Beneath the skin, ventilated front discs improved braking power and the front suspension gained anti-dive geometry. 

Lucas transistorised ignition and Adwest power-assisted steering were now standard, while automatic transmission was one of the more popular options on what was now more of a luxury Grand Tourer than out-and-out sports car. 

Flared wheel arches, a deeper radiator air intake complete with grille, and a four-pipe exhaust system distinguished the Series III from its six-cylinder forbears, plus, of course, that all-important 'V12' boot badge.

Overview
The car comes to us from a notable and very high-quality private collection where it has been maintained, cared-for and diligently curated since 1983.

In 2006 the car’s odometer was showing a remarkably modest 65,936 miles.

Today, 20 years later, the counter has only advanced as far as 68,017 miles so, as you will have no doubt discerned by now, the car has been living a life of idle privilege for a considerable length of time. 

As you might expect of a car deemed worthy of inclusion in such a collection, it is in very good all-round condition – dynamically, mechanically and aesthetically.

We can vouch for the fact that it starts, goes, handles, performs and stops as you would hope and expect. 

How? 

Because we collected it from its most recent location and drive it to our Oxfordshire HQ.

It didn’t miss a beat, and neither we nor the vendor expected it to.

Estimate: £35,000 - £45,000

View Current Bid Price HERE