2023-11-18 22:51:35 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.hemmings.com/auction/1973-jaguar-e-type-fayetteville-ga-838434

Seller's description:

Restored 1973 Jaguar Series III E-type Convertible From Long-Term Ownership

Vehicle Location Fayetteville, Georgia

VIN UD1S21244

Odometer 49,350

Engine 5.3-liter SOHC V12

Transmission Manual

Exterior Color Silver Grey Metallic

Interior Black leather

Seller Private

The seller of this 1973 Jaguar E-type Series III Convertible reports being its third owner, having purchased it in September 1978 while in his senior year at the U.S. Air Force Academy. “This was always my dream car,” he says. “It got all the attention at school, even though it was surrounded by Corvettes. It has been part of most of my life, from a young fighter pilot to husband, father, and career airline pilot. The recent loss of my right leg in a motorcycle accident makes it difficult to drive a clutch with a prosthesis, so I am giving someone else an opportunity to enjoy this head-turning classic.” In photos, the car appears to be in show-like condition outside, inside, underside, and engine compartment.

The V12-powered sports car is equipped with the desirable four-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, and the chrome wire-spoke wheels that were an original factory option. The seller says this Jag was well maintained under this ownership, has “always been rust-free,” and that he had it extensively restored in spring 1999, including a full repaint, full brake system replacement, suspension service, rebuilt carburetors, and numerous other details. More mechanical services were in the last 1,000 miles (since 2017), during which time the car also got a new stainless steel exhaust system. More service work was performed this year and in the last 100 miles in preparation for the sale. The seller has included a list of all this work and will supply further documentation.

The 1973 E-type’s 5.3-liter SOHC V12 was rated at 244 net horsepower at 5,850 rpm and 283 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm when new. The owner says that the engine is original, confirmed by the engine stamping and Jaguar Production Record Trace Certificate, and that the miles shown are accurate. He reports that the four Zenith carburetors have been recently tuned and synchronized. The engine starts immediately with little if any smoke and settles into a proper idle, he states. (See video.) He reports that the cam covers may weep a bit but says there are no leaks seen below the transmission, differential, and axles. “I replaced the leaky canister-type oil filter assembly with a spin-off adapter, and I retained original part for the next owner,” he says. He indicates installing a “new and improved” OEM electronic ignition system with greater heat tolerance than the original. The seller affirms the four-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through all gears and says the clutch cylinders were replaced within the last 1000 miles. He reports using Royal Purple gearbox oil, which he says enhances shifting smoothness, (see driving video), as well as Royal Purple differential oil.

EXTERIOR

The seller states that the E-type was repainted in April 1999, “matched precisely to the original Jaguar Silver Grey Metallic inside and out. All components were removed from the body during this process and any in need of refurbishment were overhauled, repaired or replaced before reinstallation.” He indicates some minor blemishes since the car was repainted, most of which have been touched up. “The convertible and tonneau top covers are in like-new condition, having been installed new during the restoration. All weatherstripping for the convertible top was replaced with new within the last 100 miles,” he says. The seller reports replacing the windshield in 1999 with OEM Triplex laminate and says it is “flawless, as are the original door windows." The seals were also replaced in 1999 and are described as good. “Rust is the biggest concern in E-types, but this car has none, not even in the forward fender wells where rust typically grows, and no rust repairs were necessary during the restoration,” the seller explains. All lighting is said to work. 

INTERIOR

According to the owner, the car’s carpet looks new, even under the floormats as seen in photos. The interior trim is intact except for the remote side view mirror knob that is in the glove box. The Jaguar’s seats were redone in 1999 with new Connolly leather, he states, and they appear as restored in photos. The car received a new top in the 1999 restoration, and the headliner doesn’t sag, per the seller. The heat and A/C work, and all gauges are accurate except the clock. The stereo system was upgraded to an AM/FM CD player with Infinity speakers and works properly, per the seller.

CHASSIS

The seller says that the Jaguar’s suspension was serviced in the 1999 restoration work, including replacement Koni shocks, and that he recently replaced the forward shock absorber lower bushings and had all chassis lube points attended. The Michelin radial tires are described as “having good tread, but are a bit aged,” with the seller saying he left them on "because the new owner might prefer black sidewalls, as some people do." The chromed wire spoke wheels have no pitting, curb rash, or vibrations, and the original spare tire and wire wheel are in the trunk. The steering tracks “perfectly straight” (see driving video) and the power assist does not leak, with the pump rebuilt during restoration, he says. The four-wheel disc brakes function properly with an inspection noting pad thickness as “like new.” The clutch and brake systems were flushed and refilled with correct DOT 4 synthetic fluid within the last 100 miles.

DOCUMENTATION

The seller states that this vehicle will be sold on a clean Georgia title in his name. With the sale, he will include paperwork from the original dealer, the Jaguar Production Record Trace Certificate, all documentation from the restoration, plus the original brochure, owner’s manual, and repair manual, two sets of keys, some spare parts, and carburetor tuning tools. In the hands of its third owner for just over 45 years, this 1973 Jaguar E-type Series III Convertible appears show-and-drive ready, needing only a set of tires to be driven safely any long distance.

2024-01-03 21:02:36 | Capt RD writes:

Reserve: $110,000

Selling Price: $147,000

Recent Market Range: $97,000-$122,000

Conventional wisdom held for years that the final iteration of Jaguar’s vaunted E-type sports car, the V12-powered Series III, was never quite as desirable to collectors as the earlier cars. While those Series I and Series II cars do command a premium over the later cars, the nicer examples of Series III models have proven recently to be auction winners. This 1973 Jaguar E-type Series III Convertible featured an older restoration that appeared to be holding up quite well along with long-term ownership, something often held in high esteem by bidders. Though it failed to sell on bid, as a post-auction Make Offer listing, it found a new home at an impressive 20% over the high end of recent market performance.

$147,000 SOLD

Inclusive of buyer's fees

SOLD DATE

Friday, Dec 29th 2023, 3:00pm -04