1972 Jaguar E Type S3 Roadster

Finished in the timeless colour combination of red bodywork over a black interior, this S3 Roadster still draws plenty of attention to this day, and it’s not hard to see why.

Owned by the father of a V12 and XJS restorer, this example has undergone plenty of work during its lifetime, and has evidently been cosseted throughout its ownership, though our vendor does note that they have probably spent more time behind the wheel than the actual owner.

We love a car with a good story here at The Market, and this is no exception. Purchased several years ago, the owner is no stranger to V12's, at the time having a fuel-injected 2+2 coupé, but this was a case of ‘right car at the right time’ meaning he had to snap up this lovely roadster.

Near the start of his ownership tenure, the car had a full engine bay strip and respray and a full set of new gaskets fitted to the engine. In the years since, plenty of work has been carried out on the vehicle and it has been left “wanting for nothing” though thanks to the vendor’s son owning a well-known dealership the majority of work was not invoiced as it was carried out on their own time, in order to avoid the father having a heart attack!

In the years since, the car has been used for wonderful weekend jaunts, car shows, and even saved the day for a young lad’s prom, when the power of Pistonheads forum helped bring together a convoy of vehicle’s after plans fell through. There was also the great honour of transporting the vendor’s father to his wedding during 2017, and no road car can have any higher honour bestowed upon them then that, surely?

In the last year, this V12 Roadster has undergone a further programme of extensive works, including a full service, heat shield replacement, a full set of new Pirelli P5 tyres and other minor works, the invoices for which are present in the folder. Most significantly of all, the car has just had a very significant rear axle overhaul removal. The whole IRS/rear subframe was removed and fully refurbished including new rear bushes, brake discs and pads. This is one very well-cared for E, the vendor drove it 90 trouble-free miles to our HQ without thinking twice.

The smooth, flowing lines of the E-Type still appear remarkably fresh, and this example is in fine shape with lovely, straight bodywork and no sign of any impact damage or dents that we can see. The shut lines all appear nice and even, too, which is always good news.

The paintwork, as a whole, is in great shape, showing only minor commensurate wear such as light stone chips and minor marks, as you’d expect from a car of this age and mileage.

It would appear that the bonnet has been either replaced or repainted at some point during the car’s lifetime, as it is a slightly different shade of red to the rest of the vehicle, which can be seen in photograph number 11 in the gallery below. However, having spoken to the vendor, they confirmed that they have not carried out any bodywork during their tenure with the vehicle, so if it has been sprayed, it was prior to their ownership.

The chrome bumpers, over-riders and detailing all appears to be present and correct, and retains an impressive shine and finish. There is some light patina to note, but this is all part of the car’s character and shouldn’t be seen as a negative.

Sitting in the E-Type’s voluminous arches, the characteristic wire wheels with ‘knock-off’ spinners look to be in excellent shape, with some very light pitting noted, though you’d have to look incredibly close to see.

Inside, it is clear that the cabin of this Roadster has been cherished, as it presents in very good condition throughout with no signs of ill-treatment that we can see.

The seats remain in excellent shape with no rips, tears or major scuffs to the material, though there is some light creasing which is to be expected, along with a minor stains on the inner driver seat side bolster and the outer passenger seat bolster.

There is some wear noted under the arm rest in the centre console, and the inside of the soft top has a few cosmetic marks.

Around the instrument cluster, there is a wonderful age-related patina to the gauge surrounds, though this suits the character of the car well.

The dashboard remains in excellent shape, and the switchgear all looks to be in good condition with no signs of major wear. The standard radio has been upgraded to a more modern offering, whilst the wood-rimmed steering wheel and gearstick are in excellent shape and show no signs of notable wear-and-tear.

Evidently, the work to the engine has paid dividends, with our photographer reporting that during their short drive to the location the car drove “really well” and that there were no faults or issues to report.

The work has clearly paid off aesthetically, too, as the engine and its ancillaries are all in nigh-on pristine condition and present fabulously, though the paintwork on the inside of the bonnet would benefit from attention.

Looking underneath the car, everything looks to be in fine fettle with no signs of any concerning problems as far as we can tell, and given that it has always been looked after by a well-known specialist, you’re probably safe to assume everything is peachy underneath.

If that wasn’t enough for you, the most recent MOT exam on 05 May 2021 resulted in a clean first-time pass, with the story being the same all the way back to 2015, when the car failed only due to a windscreen washer issue(!)

Included with this stunning Roadster is a rich and detailed history, stretching back comfortably into the early 1980’s with plenty of period invoices, MOT certificates and other documentation.

Digging deeper, it is evident that plenty of specialist care has befallen this Jaguar in the past, with numerous older invoices from the 90s and early 2000’s showing headers and logos for ‘big cat’ specialists - a sure fire sign of a caring owner that only wants the best for their vehicle.

Fast forward to more recent years during its current ownership, and there are invoices for various consumables such as brake pads and bushes, along with more sizeable bills for parts such as the heat shields and brake discs, though as the vendor states, due to being worked on at a family business in their own time, a lot of the work carried out to this E-Type was never invoiced.

In addition to paperwork, there is also a E-Type Series III owners manual, and two sets of keys, along with the V5 registered keepers document showing 7 prior owners.

Cherished, cared-for and enjoyed. What more could you ask for?

This 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 Roadster has certainly had a wonderful and eventful life, and even provided a wonderful bonding opportunity for father-and-son to work on the car together and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Presenting in excellent condition throughout but with room for cosmetic improvements to the bonnet should the new owner wish to do so, this V12-powered icon of British engineering would make an excellent summer chariot for these long, warm days and light evenings; a wonderful addition to any car collection or driveway. Every time we look at it or move it, we can't help feeling that this is a car that is even better than its description suggests!

Given the condition of the car, and the work that has gone in to it, we estimate the hammer to fall in the region of £60,000 to £80,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00pm. To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.