A decade on from the Geneva launch of the sensational E type this would be final iteration of Malcolm Sayer designed and Sir William Lyons inspired Jaguar rolled from the production line to be registered on the 1st of August 1972 as NHW476L. Back in 1972 you would have been respected and admired for having the first ‘L’ registration cars on the road and being the V12 E Type you would have been further elevated up the vehicular pecking order. The series III V12 was the ultimate grand touring iteration of the E Type line with the Le Mans inspired V12 giving huge torque and horse power to ‘waft’ the E Type effortlessly on any journey you needed or chose to make. And yet just over a year after our car began service on the UK roads the world spiralled into fuel crises initiated by the start of the Yom Kippur war and OPEC’s fuel embargos causing petrol rationing and quadrupling petrol costs rendering the V12 E Type and other large capacity luxury cars to virtual dinosaur status. The E Type never recovered. As a 10year old I remember it being a very worrying time for my parents.

This V12 completed most of the believed genuine 84087miles in the first 15 year of its service. The first MOT on file is dated September 1987 and records 58891 miles. The odometer mileage ticks over steadily with a good account of mileage provided by the supporting record of MOT history. Additional to the MOT history is a quite comprehensive record of service care and attention that begins when the E Type Centre sold the car in October 2002. The history file is most detailed from the point of the most recent long term custodian taking delivery in March of 2013. Under his direction the V12 has been very well maintained and cosseted with service and parts provided by well respected parts and service suppliers. The V12 has been used regularly over the last 12 years which is also of re assurance to a prospective new owner

We can report that structurally and cosmetically the car is very sound with the odd mark and blemish to the paint work appropriate to a car of this age and mileage. Mechanically the V12 is very good with the engine starting readily, keeping excellent oil pressure and temperature whilst pulling strongly through the 4 speed gearbox with no untoward noises from the refurbished drivetrain. There is power steering too. In the cabin the black leather carries patination befitting the mileage but has no undue wear. The very positive attraction with this fixed head coupe is the addition of a Webasto retracting sunroof which is freshly refurbished with new mohair and operates perfectly giving that perfect blend of coupe comfort and the option to retract the Webasto and enjoy that wind in the hair provided by Webasto. It is the perfect accompaniment for the V12 FHC.
Sitting on chrome wire wheels with good tyres there is little if anything to do to this V12 other than drive it and enjoy it.

This V12 supplied with original book pack and substantial history provides an affordable way into E Type motoring with the comfort of an extensive recent service history presenting the car in ready to go state sure to impress and be admired as it did was when first registered 53 years ago