2022-02-10 10:57:05 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1973-jaguar-e-type-v12-convertible-gLWyD8

Auction description:

1973 Jaguar E-type Roadster

Colour Pink

Odometer 83,000 Miles

Engine size 5300

Location London

Country United Kingdom

Rare and desirable Heather paint with Cerise interior

Recent £6500 mechanical recommissioning

Current owner since 1987

Very enjoyable to drive

As spec choices go, this is undeniably bold. The colour scheme you see here is that which came from the factory in 1973 – Heather paint with a Cerise leather interior. And it’s something that suits the nature of the Series 3 to a tee: this car is no shrinking violet, with its brawny V12 motor and muscular profile, and it deserves an aesthetic that suits its character.

It’s clearly a formula that endears and beguiles, as the current owner has had this car since 1987, and before that there were only two keepers. Evidently it’s a machine that enraptures its owners, and the magic of that factory pink has to have something to do with it. It’s also important to note that the chassis and engine numbers on the bulkhead match those on the V5.

The Paperwork

The documentation here is a pleasing fusion of aged paperwork and up-to-the-minute servicing and parts info. We can see that the current owner acquired the car in July 1987 and has had the cherished registration number RUT 111 on it the whole time, artfully manipulated to read ‘Ruth’. (n.b. this registration number will be retained by the seller and does not come with the car.)

The old-style 1980s logbook is here, as well as the current-style one, and we also find a number of recent receipts to show work that’s been carried out in the last couple of years. In May 2021, for instance, we can see that the car was treated to a full service, new rear shocks and springs (and if you peer under the car, you can see that each side has twin Spax adjustables), new exhaust manifold, and all new gaskets throughout, at a cost of £3577. Then in August of 2021 a further £1888 was spent on an ignition conversion kit and a full overhaul and rebuild of the carburettors.

The Interior

The interior looks absolutely glorious in its vivid shade of Cerise, and it’s all in lovely condition too. The seat trim is in good order, with some pleasingly gentle weathering and no damage or undue wear, and they tilt forward correctly to allow access to the storage hidey-hole behind. The carpets are complete and in good order, as are all of the correct trim pieces and details. The car has a Pioneer CD/radio head unit (we’d guess early-2000s) and NEC speakers (probably late-80s/early-90s), but is otherwise all factory spec. The gauges are all functional, and it’s pleasing to note the presence of a dash-mounted plaque from supplying dealer Jack Barclay.

Inside the boot it’s all dry and tidy, with a good-quality load cover as well as the correct red tonneau cover for the roof. Under the floor panels we find that the car is fitted with a new fuel tank, and also has the correct spare wheel and original jack.

The Exterior

The sweet Heather exterior is this E-Type’s calling card, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The paintwork is in very good condition throughout; indeed, aside from a small chip on the bonnet, we couldn’t find any notable blemishes. The owner is clearly a fan of chrome, as a few shiny embellishments have been added over the years including a central bonnet strip, a leaper hood ornament, and a US-spec bumper oval.

The light lenses and window glass are all in good order. The soft top raises and lowers freely, and the outside of the soft-top is in good condition, as is the window pane. The inside of the soft-top has perished (we’d assume that the car has generally been kept inside and used on dry days, so the roof hasn’t seen a lot of use), and due to its age the liner is disintegrating. From outside it looks fine when it’s raised so it’s OK as a get-you-home – although replacing a soft-top isn’t a complex or overly expensive endeavour.

The car wears steel wheels with the correct centre caps, all shod in matching Dunlop SP Sport tyres with good tread.

The Mechanicals

The lusty 5.3-litre V12 is a real powerhouse of a unit, and it’s in fine fettle here. Having recently had its carburettors overhauled, fluids renewed and all gaskets replaced it’s running just as it should. The engine fires up easily, idles evenly with the trademark thrum, and pulls eagerly through the gears. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly as it should. The brakes are strong, and the suspension provides superlative comfort thanks to those new springs and dampers. There’s no to-do list here, this is a car to simply jump in and enjoy.