1971 Jaguar V12 Roadster: The Birth of the E-Type Series III The 1971 Jaguar V12 Roadster was a landmark model in Jaguar’s history, marking the introduction of the Series III E-Type and the debut of Jaguar’s first production V12 engine. This car was a response to evolving performance demands, stricter emissions regulations, and increasing competition from rivals like Ferrari and Chevrolet. It blended raw power with British elegance, making it one of the most desirable grand tourers of its era. The Evolution of the Jaguar E-Type Jaguar’s E-Type (XK-E in North America) first appeared in 1961, revolutionizing the sports car world with its aerodynamic design, advanced monocoque construction, and impressive performance for its price. Key Milestones Before the V12: Series I (1961–1968): The original and purest form, featuring a 3.8L (later 4.2L) inline-six, covered headlights, and a sleek, lightweight design. Series II (1968–1971): A transitional model with updated safety features, uncovered headlights, and better cooling. By 1971, Jaguar needed to modernize the E-Type further to comply with U.S. regulations while maintaining its performance edge. This led to the creation of the Series III, featuring the groundbreaking 5.3-liter V12 engine. The Jaguar V12 Engine: A Game Changer The Series III E-Type, introduced in March 1971, was Jaguar’s first production car with a V12 engine—a milestone in the brand’s engineering history. Why the V12? Performance Upgrade: The aging inline-six from the XK series couldn’t compete with newer, more powerful engines from Ferrari, Aston Martin, and American muscle cars. The V12 delivered 272 horsepower and 304 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth power delivery. Refined Grand Touring: The V12 was silky smooth and had a distinctive exhaust note, perfect for long-distance touring. Competition Influence: Jaguar had experimented with V12 engines in racing, particularly with its XJ13 Le Mans prototype, but never entered it into competition. The E-Type benefited from this racing technology. Design & Features of the 1971 Jaguar V12 Roadster The E-Type Series III Roadster was wider, more comfortable, and more powerful than its predecessors, appealing more to grand tourers than pure sports car enthusiasts. Key Changes in the Series III Roadster: Flared Wheel Arches: Accommodating wider tires for better grip and stability. Large Front Grille: Providing improved cooling for the bigger V12 engine. Quad Exhaust Pipes: Enhancing the aggressive stance and sound. Longer Wheelbase: The Roadster now used the same wheelbase as the 2+2 Coupe, making it roomier and more comfortable. Upgraded Brakes & Power Steering: Making the car easier to drive, especially in urban settings. Wire Wheels & Classic British Elegance: Retaining the iconic Jaguar styling with subtle refinements. Performance & Driving Experience 0-60 mph in about 6.4 seconds, making it one of the fastest roadsters of its time. Top speed of 150 mph, impressive for a 1970s grand tourer. Refined handling, though heavier than previous E-Types, the V12 power and upgraded suspension made it a capable and comfortable long-distance cruiser. Legacy & Collector Status Though purists sometimes favor the Series I E-Type for its lighter and sportier feel, the Series III V12 Roadster has become highly collectible, especially as a luxury grand tourer. Why It’s Special Today: The First Jaguar V12 Production Car: A significant milestone in Jaguar’s history. End of the E-Type Lineage: The last evolution of the legendary E-Type before being replaced by the Jaguar XJ-S in 1975. Unique Grand Tourer Appeal: A luxurious, comfortable, yet powerful classic. Today, well-preserved Series III V12 Roadsters are valued by collectors, with manual transmission models being the most desirable. Final Thoughts The 1971 Jaguar V12 Roadster represented the final chapter of the legendary E-Type, evolving from a lightweight sports car into a refined grand tourer with effortless V12 power. While some mourned the loss of the original’s purity, the Series III remains an icon of 1970s luxury performance. This remarkable Series 3 Roadster has covered a warranted 33,000 miles from new. A home-market, right-hand drive, manual gearbox car, VGM 32M was delivered new to the current owner's company as his 'new company car'. When the time came to replace it in the late seventies, he was able to buy it from the company and has kept it ever since. Being 6’ 4” tall, he moved the mirrors from the doors to the bonnet in order to be of use, and then subsequently made the mounting holes good and painted the doors, however, the rest of the Lavender Blue paint is original. Having been used very lightly over the last few years and stored under cover at his Bournemouth weekend home, there is now evidence of some 'micro blistering' of the paintwork and potential purchasers might want to spend some time examining that prior to bidding and whilst most people may not even notice it, the then owner is keen to point it out particularly as it's such a rare and distinctive colour. The car is essentially original as you might expect with just 33,000 miles and retains its original dark blue interior, hood and carpets etc. It was recently serviced by Epping Jaguar including a fuel pump and is accompanied by a lovely history file with its original warranty card, handbook, MOTs to corroborate the indicated mileage, invoices for works etc. This Series 3 has a lot going for it; UK-supplied, manual gearbox, one keeper from new, 32,570 miles and a super rare colour. Come and have a look.