1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III Open Two Seater

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MakeJaguar
ModelXKE
Year1974
Mileage
Ext. ColorRegency Red
Int. ColorBlack
VINUE 1S 25494 BW

1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III Convertible

Chassis UE 1S 25494 BW

High-quality, well-preserved, and attractive throughout

Excellent Regency Red/black leather color combination

Black canvas soft top, factory A/C, updated Bluetooth stereo

71K indicated miles, progressively documented

Southeastern vehicle from new with owner history

Numbers-matching 5.3-Liter V-12 engine

Three-speed automatic transmission – rebuilt in 2018

Correct stainless-steel exhaust system and chrome wire wheels

Exceptionally well documented from new including JDHT certificate

Final-year example of an unqualified sporting legend

When Jaguar’s brilliant new E-Type debuted in Geneva in March 1961, few showgoers and motoring journalists could have possibly foreseen that the sexy new sports car would remain in production, for three distinct generations, through 1974. Relentlessly updated and improved, the E-Type, dubbed ‘XKE’ in the United States, matured into a true Grand Touring machine by 1972 with the final Series III models featuring turbine-like V-12 power. Most visibly, the Series III cars featured a larger bonnet bulge, larger flared wheel openings, a slightly wider track, a revised grille, and updated bumpers. The convertible now rode on a longer 105-inch wheelbase shared with the 2+2 coupe, yielding greatly improved passenger comfort with longer doors, longer and deeper floors, updated seats and door panels, a new center console, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

On the racetrack, the E-Type/XKE went out with a bang in the United States with Joe Huffaker Racing campaigning an XKE on the west coast and Bob Tullius’ Group 44 team on the east coast for the 1974 and 1975 SCCA racing seasons. When the smoke cleared in 1975, Group 44 Inc. took the SCCA Manufacturer’s Championship with its iconic green and white E-Type competition roadster, masterfully piloted by Bob Tullius, who single-handedly carried the Jaguar banner through the mid-1980s and spearheaded the marque’s long-awaited return to Le Mans competition by 1985.

Accompanied by its corresponding Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this compelling 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III Convertible was manufactured on April 1, 1974, factory-finished in Regency Red over Black leather upholstery – the color combination it sports today. Carrying a $9,200 base MSRP, the E-type was further equipped with desirable factory options including a Borg-Warner automatic transmission ($300), chrome wire wheels ($160), and air conditioning ($600). Dispatched from the factory on August 1, 1974, this U.S.-specification E-Type was purchased on November 18, 1974, from Scott-Welsh Motor Cars in Nashville, Tennessee by Dr. Norman Simms Gallatin. The Doctor retained the Jaguar for the next 13 years, with the factory-issued service booklet duly stamped through August 1979 and 44,107 recorded miles. Dr. Gallatin sold the Jaguar at 53,967 miles on March 23, 1987, to a fellow Tennessee resident, and then on May 5, 1989, the E-Type was acquired at 66,782 accumulated miles via a specialist dealer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida by David Manwaring. He retained the car to April 4, 2005, when he sold it to

the next long-term owner from Atlanta, Georgia, who eventually sold the Jaguar at 71,418 miles in September 2020 to noted Georgia collector and classic-car trader Ivan Ruiz.

As offered, the E-Type is exceptionally attractive and highly enjoyable throughout, clearly continuing to benefit from an older, well-maintained restoration. At the time of writing, 72,030 miles are indicated, consistent with the progressive mileage readings recorded on the wealth of service and sale documents on hand with the vehicle. Retaining the matching numbers 5,343cc V-12 powerplant, factory-rated 241 SAE Net horsepower with four Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, the Jaguar features its factory-specified color combination, including the very nice Regency Red paint finish, well-maintained interior, black canvas top, gleaming chrome and brightwork, iconic chrome wire wheels, and factory-correct stainless steel exhaust system with quad outlets. The V-12 engine is well detailed and retains its original character and appearance with proper factory components in place. Accompanying items include “knock-off” wheel tools, a roadside jack, and a spare wire wheel and tire combination, all properly stowed within the Jaguar’s trunk, plus the factory-original large rubber bumpers that can be reinstalled as desired.

A light mechanical recommissioning performed during 2018 included the rebuilding of all four carburetors, a transmission service, and the installation of new transmission mounts. A new set of 5 period-style Vredestein radial tires was completed in the past year with only an approximate 700 miles of use since then. Factory-specified air conditioning and an updated stereo head unit featuring Bluetooth connectivity heighten the fast Grand Touring experience offered by this late-production E-Type. Documentation is excellent and exhaustive, from the original window sticker and purchase paperwork to the factory-issued owner’s manual and service booklet, service records, ownership history, subsequent purchase documents, and the aforementioned JDHT certificate confirming factory data.

An unqualified sporting legend, Jaguar’s E-Type remains a true object of automotive desire today with its sexy, projectile-like design, competition roots, and outstanding performance – even by today’s jaded standards. Accordingly, This very well-maintained and documented example from the last E-Type model year offers an incomparable opportunity to savor the sophisticated V-12, Series III iteration in the most desirable open-air body style.