2018-04-04 12:20:26 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 10/17
www.brightwells.com/classic-motoring/general-information/classic-vintage-past-re ...

Auction description:
Lot number 33
Sale Price Not Sold
Make & Model Jaguar E-Type S3 V12 Coupe Manual
Registration RMJ 857M
Year 1973
Colour Primrose yellow
Engine Size 5,300 cc
Chassis No. 1S51957
Engine No. 7S12730SB
V5c; MOT until June 2018; 1x old MOT; restoration log

The previous owner of this car may have been unfamiliar with the works of Willie Nelson, but he must have appreciated the sentiment. In or around 1986 he laid the car up intending to fix the leaking radiator; twenty-five (25) years later he took it out of storage and sold it to the current owner. Immuration had not improved it.

RMJ 857M is a 1973 Series III V12 Jaguar E-Type Coupé with manual gearbox and Pale Primrose paintwork: a stunning combination of carrosserie, colour and components. The car was on its third owner in 1986 when the radiator sprang a leak, and it was always the intention to do the car up, but.....time slipped away.

The current owner bought the car in June 2011 and took a long hard look at his new purchase. He had bought a non-runner standard and unmolested, with flat paintwork, surface rust here and there but probably nothing serious (!), tidy interior, rotten exhaust, rusty wheels, sticky brakes and corroded carburettors. What you might expect. What next?

The vendor was not new to classic car ownership and had already gone through the process with an MGB V8, so he went back to the people who had done that car and agreed a plan. The car had to be very good but not "tarted up" and where possible the original parts had to be refurbished, not replaced, he was not in a hurry and he wanted it doing right. Five years later, he got the car he wanted.

It might be easier to list what was not done to the car, but, in brief, the bodywork was taken back to bare metal and repairs made where needed (RH door skin, wheel arches, LH/RH sill end panels) and all panels and doors checked for fit before the car was re-painted. A new fuel tank, new wring loom and new door rubbers were installed.

The suspension was rebuilt with new ball-joints, Polybushes, shock absorbers and radius arms; the brakes had new discs, pads flexibles etc. The fuel system was replaced, pipework, pumps and carburettors (the carbs, were not new, but were refurbished). The engine and gearbox were checked over but no new internal parts were needed, only seals and gaskets.

The leather upholstery was in very sound condition, with only a small tear in the driver's seat, which was repaired and the leather renovated. The headlining, which had been stained from storage, was replaced. The interior now looks lovely - not new, but nicely lived-in.

In April this year the car went to have an MOT - and failed! Once the headlamps had been adjusted, the small fuel leak at the rear stopped and the sticky rear brakes released the car was re-presented and passed.

Now the car is for sale. Why? Well, as is often the way, our vendor has moved on to the next project. That's just the way some people are.

This is a fabulous car that has had a comprehensive restoration - not over-restored, it's not a show queen, that was never the intention. The work done to the car far outstretches that listed above and there is a much more detailed log of the work on file and any serious buyer should examine it. What the vendor wanted to create was a car that did not look like it had just been restored, but wanted a smart, presentable, car that looked right and drove properly. That is what he has achieved.

The new owner will take advantage of the dedication and hard work that produced this sympathetically restored V12 E-Type. Lucky devil.

2019-10-20 13:40:03 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 11/19

www.silverstoneauctions.com/events/2019-auctions/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-201 ...

Auction description:

Lot No. 441 - 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 FHC

Estimate: £42,000 - £48,000

A home-market, right-hand drive Series 3 2+2 Coupe with a manual gearbox

Finished in its original colour scheme of Primrose Yellow with a red leather interior

Subject to a respray some years ago and looking in great condition

Supplied with its history file, a UK V5c and a Heritage Certificate confirming its matching numbers

Presented here is a UK right-hand drive 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 2+2 Coupe with a manual gearbox. Finished in its original colours of Primrose Yellow with a red leather interior, the car was laid up in 1986 due to a radiator leak and it remained dormant, but importantly stored in a dry garage, for the next 25 years. It wasn’t until 2011 that it was sold as a car in need of recommissioning and the project was undertaken by the purchaser. The bodywork was taken back to bare metal and necessary metalwork repairs were carried out to the right-hand door skin, wheel arches and sill end panels on the left and right sides. Once completed, everything was ‘dry-fitted’ before being disassembled again and the body prepared for fresh paint. A new wiring loom was fitted along with a new fuel tank and new door rubbers. The suspension was rebuilt with new ball-joints, Polybushes, shock absorbers and radius arms and the brakes had new discs and pads. The fuel system was replaced, pipework, pumps and carburettors overhauled. The engine and gearbox were checked over but no new internal parts were needed, only seals, gaskets and fluids. The leather upholstery was in very sound condition, with only a small tear in the driver's seat, which was repaired and the leather renovated. The headlining, which had been stained from storage, was replaced.

Now showing 65,000 miles on the odometer this car is supplied with a UK V5c, a Heritage Certificate confirming its ‘matching numbers’ and a solid history file. This E-Type is now ready to start the next chapter of its life and be enjoyed.

2019-12-05 04:10:27 | Daniel writes:

Sold at above Silverstone Auction for £41,063