Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Commemorative

The Commemorative was Jaguar's send-off for the V12 E-Type, a run of just 50 cars built to mark the end of production. Almost all were painted black with Cinnamon leather, and all were right-hand drive whatever their destination. This is number 12, and one of only 30 fitted with the manual gearbox. A brass plaque signed by Sir William Lyons is fixed to the glovebox lid, and a Jaguar Heritage Certificate is said to confirm its authenticity as a matching-numbers car.

The fourth owner bought it in 2019 and had it fully dismantled for a four-year, 100-point restoration, recorded in photographs. XK Engineering restored and repainted the body, and GB Classic Trim retrimmed the interior and fitted a new mohair hood. Mechanical work and new wiring harnesses were carried out by the owner, a chartered engineer.

Changes to originality are limited: a lip-seal conversion for the rear crankshaft seal, a lightened flywheel, high-torque starter, spin-on oil filter, stainless exhaust and adjustable dampers. The radio has been converted to DAB with iPod connectivity. A removable hard-top is included, and the car still needs road testing and running in after the rebuild.