Pick of the Day: 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3, just as mom would have had

Interestingly and somewhat different from most people in the collector car hobby, my mother was the most car crazy of my parents. She had a series of interesting cars for the era of the 1960s through the 1980s, among them a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, a 1971 VW Beetle, a stunning Mercedes-Benz 380SL, and a truly terrible Fiero 4-cylinder with the world’s worst manual-shift linkage.

She was also the one who took me out the first time that I legally drove a car, explaining to me the process of steering, braking, safe following distances, and centering yourself in the lane.

Of all the cars in the world, the one she most loved was the Jaguar E-Type Series 3, which she loved mainly because of its V12 engine. Sadly, it was a car she never owned. She passed away on October 28 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. 

In honor of her, The Pick of the Day is a 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 roadster finished in her favorite color combination of Regency Red over Biscuit leather interior.

Many people discount the Series 3 Jaguar E-Types as less pure than the original Series 1 or even the Series 2 cars. Sure, as a sports car, the Series 3 is less focused than the earlier models, but instead is one of the most excellent classic touring cars available, especially when you consider that there’s V12 engine under its bonnet. Any other V12-powered classic roadster will cost many times the price of a nice Series 3 E-Type.

The Kentwood, Michigan, dealer advertising the Jaguar on ClassicCars.com says it is a complete matching-numbers car equipped with a 4-speed manual gearbox, and in the hands of the previous owner for the past 18 years.

The Jaguar has great documentation and remains in a highly original condition, the dealer notes. It recently received maintenance work to keep it performing well, and has a new Denso alternator system along with a new windshield, new rack-and-pinion steering system, and radiator. The odometer shows just under 54,000 miles.

Values on these cars are in pretty good shape, but a Jaguar E-Type Series 3 like this one still offers a tremendous amount of value for the money. If I had the spare cash, I would buy the car in my mom’s honor and drive it daily from spring to fall and likely keep it for a long time and take on tours, to shows, and likely drive to Monterey in 2022.

The asking price for this very clean Jaguar is a fair $89,900.  It would make a nice addition to any collector’s garage, not just my mom’s.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.