Jaguar E-Type 1972 Series 3 V12 Roadster

Beautifully restored, impressive factory spec and retaining a complete set of original documents, this E-Type is an ultimate 1970s Roadster.

Built in the latter part of 1972, this handsome V12 E-Type was ordered new from the Jaguar Cleveland dealer on the shores of the Lake Erie, Ohio. The local first owner, Fred Slagle, had not held back in specifying the optional extras on his new car, which he collected on 3rd March 1973 complete with chrome wire wheels, tinted glass, AM/FM stereo and air conditioning.

Quite nicely Fred stopped short of ordering the automatic gearbox, clearly favouring the all-synchro manual gearbox that would have been unusual in North America. But, with all the extras that had been fitted, the total cost stood at $9,080.35 – not insignificant for 1973!

Part exchanging a 4.2-litre E-Type for $3k and obviously no stranger to negotiating, Fred was able to talk the dealer down to $8696.04. Given that the Series 3 E-Type was still fresh faced (this car is among the first 1,000 built), he was probably quite pleased to have driven away with his near-$400 discount.

With the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls and a wealth of national forestry on his doorstep, Fred would have enjoyed the most amazing views from the seat of this E-Type.

By 1990 the E-Type was in the care of Bob Sage in the neighbouring Great Lake state of Michigan and undergoing a fully documented and photographed restoration. The results of this work are clear to see and, with little use since, the E-Type remains in beautiful condition. Bob’s efforts were rewarded with a Best in Show trophy, which he mentioned in the sales literature supplied to the previous, a Dr Kaufman, in 1998.

Setting this particularly fine example apart even further is the factory hard top that accompanies it and the exceptional original documentation too, from the initial purchase receipt right through to the loose and invariably lost instructions sheets for the stereo and air conditioning. The handbook, supplementary booklets, wiring diagrams and the 'Passport to Service' book (including the metal identity tag stored safely within its pouch) have all been kept like new in the unmarked Jaguar wallet.

An elegant, European and V12-powered 1970s Roadster: credentials that are shared exclusively with the Ferrari Daytona Spyder.