Jaguar's XK-E Roadster is among the most recognizable classic sports cars on the planet. Uniquely pedigreed, the model started as a streetable continuation of the marque's fabled 1950s Le Mans racers. The tremendous heritage of "C" and "D"-Types carried with it a cachet that is unsurpassed to this day.
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Not only rolling eye candy on Sunset Boulevard, but also seriously muscled Mulholland Drive contender, the E-Type is both stylish and powerful. When ever-tightening emission requirements began to emasculate the straight-six-powered "E", introduced in 1961, the team around Harry Mundy, Jaguar's executive director, struck back forcefully, stunning the public with the fantastic 325-horsepower, 5.3-liter V12 engine, first revealed in the 1971 Series Three E-Type.
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Suddenly on par with Italian ultra-exotics Ferrari and Lamborghini, the E-Type featured a dozen cylinders, decades before teutonic rivals Mercedes and BMW finally stepped up to the plate. The flamboyant Jaguar, with its long, phallic-looking bonnet, indisputably qualifies as the sexiest car around, able to turn grown women into giggling debutantes upon sight.
The breathtakingly attractive Vee-Twelve featured here, VIN *UD1S22235BW*, was built for export in April of 1973. It is one of exactly 2,862 V12 Roadsters produced in 1973--a rare beast, indeed!
Sold new at venerable San Jose British Motor Cars, the car has remained in California ever since. Owned by a wealthy enthusiast, the Jaguar covered only 44,443 original miles to date, less than 1,500 miles annually on average.
The Jag is currently registered through February, 2007. As an added bonus, it comes with the desirable California vanity license plate reading 73 V12E which has been formally signed over by the previous owner.
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Raising the front-hinged bonnet exposes the heart of the E-Type, the feline's fabulous, silky smooth V12 power plant. Engine bay is surgically clean. If you are familiar with E-Types, you know how they can suffer from improper use and storage. Not so here! There is no corrosion, not even surface rust. This Jaguar was used very sparingly--never in the rain--and it shows.
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Jaguar's V-Twelve engine is actually a detuned version of the XJ13's marvelous 4-cam racing engine. It runs exactly like you would expect it from a low-mileage, well-maintained specimen. There are no annoying fluid leaks; neither is there any smoke, nor measurable oil consumption.
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| Right rear wheelwell | Original KONI "Eagle" shocks | Right front wheelwell | Undamaged front valance & air inlet |
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| Front hood hinge pivot | Left front wheelwell | Perfect frame rails | 100% rust-free undercarriage |
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Let's take a close look at the cat's various mechanical components. This original, unrestored, low-mileage Jag presents itself free of any kind of damage or corrosion. There is no rust, nor has there been any rust, anywhere, ever, and that's guaranteed!
In fact, inspecting the Jag's hidden sections "down under," something most sellers would be hesitant to agree to, you'll be as surprised as we were, finding out just how marvelously clean this youthful 33-year-old really is.
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The car's Olde English White exterior--it's the original color, of course--mirrors its fabulous undercarriage. There is no rust or damage. The finish is smooth and shiny; there are no dings, dents, scrapes, chips or scratches anywhere.
When it came time to install a new hood, the cat's owner chose correct, black STAYFAST canvas top, guaranteed not to fade. This top is in excellent condition; the rear window is crystal clear.
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E-Types came from the factory with steel disc rims, unless you specified the optional and rather expensive chrome wire wheels. They are true "knock off" center-lock wires, enhancing the beauty of the big V12 cat immeasurably.
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Soft paws: since the wheels were so beautiful, we decided to have a brand new set of PIRELLI P400 whitewall radials of the correct dimension, 215-70-15, installed.
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Then as now, owning a V12-powered, open-topped sports car surely is a source of almost unlimited pride of ownership.
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The Jag's interior presents itself 100% original. Bone stock, from the leather-covered, aluminum steering wheel to the traditional, white-on-black SMITHS gauges (they all work, including the clock!), this cockpit communicates the intoxicating look and feel of the quintessential British Roadster--the last really good one, if you ask the experts.
One upgrade, a quite desirable one, is the ECLIPSE in-dash stereo unit with CD player.
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Deep red, original CONNOLLY leather seats, with factory Ambla rear covering, are in a wonderfully preserved state, without any cracks or dryness. Even the seat padding is still intact, a sure-fire indication of a low-mileage Jaguar that has always been protected from the elements. Red WILTON carpeting is original as well.
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Surprisingly, the Series 3 XK-E Roadster features a large, hidden "smuggler's box" behind the seats, great for keeping purses and other items away from prying eyes.
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Correct dual exhaust tip neatly fashions the Jaguar's tail. Stainless steel closing panel is super clean. All electricals work, even the backup lights!
Can't wait for a test drive? Allright, but first, let's check out the trunk.
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All books and manuals reside inside the clean, dry luggage compartment. Original jacking equipment is included as well. Everflex boot cover has shrunk with age. Take out the mat and the wooden trunk floor and you'll gain access to the spare, still wearing its original DUNLOP SP Sport "Formula 70" tire in the dimension ER 70/VR 15. There's zero corrosion to be found in this critical area.
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Monday, September 25, is another bright and sunny day in Southern California. We get an early start and head out to our favorite road, Highway 1. The elegant white cat is ready to stretch her legs. Pull the choke a bit, turn the key, and she begins to purr lazily. She runs, drives, handles, and stops excellently. The transmission shifts imperceptibly smooth. No overheating, smoke, nor untoward noises spoil the incredible fun.
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Characterized by turbine-smooth power delivery from idle to redline, emitting an addictive, muted growl composed of colorful induction and exhaust notes, the Jaguar V12 experience is singularly exciting. The roomy cockpit--V12 Roadsters were built on the longer 2+2 chassis--featuring modern amenities such as power assisted steering, power brakes, and air conditioning, and the revised, beefed-up front and rear suspension contribute significantly to the joy of piloting a Series Three E-Type.
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Returning home, relaxed and smiling, we marvel at the gentle beast. She's going to be resting on our carpeted showroom floor. The Series III E-Type is so beautiful, she deserves to be displayed in a museum, like a fine artifact, atop nice Persian rugs.
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Here is a prime opportunity to acquire a fully-equipped, healthy, rust free, original, low-mileage Series III E-Type Roadster, one of the World's finest and most pedigreed collectible automobiles. She's the proverbial California cat; even 33 years after she was manufactured, she performs flawlessly and looks as sexy as ever, exhibiting a flair of haute volée and showmanship.