Jaguar: Series 3 E-type

2 words....Stay Clear...

Unless of course you are a factory trained e type specialist mechanic.

Have you ever looked closely at the American spec series 3 engine compartments..50% of the hoses wires and plumbing was all an attempt to comply with US regulations...
In other words Poor HP and performance squared..and then poor reliability.such a complicated engine to rebuild!

BUT..There are some aftermarket companies that will build a V 12 race engine with a guarantee...that might Help if you are hell bent.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-JAGUAR-V-12-Roadster-7-439-Miles-/230601528315?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35b0ec13fb

This it????????????? Very Pretty....Tempting as well.

Ask for pictures of the frame and suspension...Chassis from underneath

 

I'm with Michael on this - too much hassle. An E-Type is finicky enough, why bother with the added mess of all that plumbing? My father-in-law has a Jaguar XJS-12 - man he has been banging his head against the wall with getting it to run properly.

For that kind of money, do yourself a favor and look at a Series 1 FHC or a Series 2 OTS if you want top-down motoring. They look much better and they won't be anywhere near the hassle.

 

Okay guys, let's put things in perspective here.

First, a Series 3 E Type is a helluva lot better car than an XJS (one of the worst cars Jaguar built) it's quite a bit less complicated and problematic.

If you're someone who enjoys comfort and space, a Series 3 is a much better choice than a 1 or 2. The early cars are more desirable and valuable but a bit cramped to ride in and only rarely had air conditioning.

The Jaguar 5.3 V12 is a complicated engine that has it's issues but if the car is well sorted and hasn't been overheated, you will definitely enjoy it.

The apparent bias against the Series 3 can work to your advantage by allowing you to get a lot more car for your money.

This car looks (from the photos) very nice and is both a desirable 4-speed car and is painted in one of the best colors. I would however check it over carefully before buying (standard advice).

As far as the bumpers, tough luck. 1974 had new DOT regulations and the ugliest bumpers. 1971 was the best with all chrome and they grew bigger until '74 (the last year of the E Type).

 

Begs the question: now that these cars are smog exempt even in California (where we emissions test Schwinns), is it possible to revert to a European spec?

Regarding style, I agree that the rubber blocks aren't terribly elegant (Porsche used them on the 1973 model year 911s), but they are kind of "period correct", in the way 308 rubber bumpers were also "of that era". I think the one linked above is a really beautiful car, even with the blocks.

But, I would go for an earlier car with the inline six. Also, I would hesitate to buy an E-Type on eBay. Just too many variables unless you've had the car inspected by a Jag guru.

 

If smog exempt, throw all that equipment away, do the same with those pesky ZS carbs, install 4 SU's (it CAN be done) and enjoy your motoring.

A well maintained Jag V-12 is a bullit-proof unit, revs freely (70mm stroke only) and won't wear out. A badly maintained example can cost you an arm and a leg to nurse back to health.

A 4sp manual E V-12 is a wonderful automobile, long wheelbase series III is more comfortable, it rides better on the wider track, and comparing the looks with the earlier cars is a matter of personal preference.

I have no idea if the bodywork und3erwent any mods to accept the rubber blocks, and a set of earlier bumpers won't be cheap, and can be a bear to fit properly.

 

http://www.xks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Classic-Motorsports-Series-IV.pdf


Ah! Need I say More!

 

I am currently in the process of doing this to my SIII except that I am going even further than Leno and converting to using all of the SI lighting.

Just put the engine and together and back in the car.

See the body modifications here: http://www.passthespanner.com/?cat=30


Anyways I think the SIII is a great car and if you replace or rebuild the distributor so that it doesn't lock up like mine and many other did the engine will be good for 200k trouble free miles.

I have the same engine in my XJS and since I don't need to worry about emission all of the smog equipment have been removed cleaning things up tremendously. They are great cars and you can't beat the look of a XKE.

 

Nice Work...

Heres a good resource in case you didnt already know.

http://www.terrysjag.com/category/Engine_Parts.html

 

No disagreement there.

If you need more room, get a S1 2+2 - the S3 coupe only came in that form anyway. I agree you can get a lot of car for the money, but I'll stick my neck out and say you can get a solid S1 FHC or 2+2 for the same (or less) money than a solid S3. The S3 doesn't make any sense IMHO unless you must have the V12 - most everything a S1 does is better than a S3.

Just my opinion, but having driven some S3's, I felt the purity of the original car was lost.

 

1971 series 3's had 314 hp. subsequent models ended up w/ approx 280 hp. turbine smooth engine. scout canadian/euro etypes, maybe they did not have the bumper blocks.
also, 71 usa models do not have the blocky bumper. very clean look, but euro cars have su carbs instead of the strombergs.

 

I put 100K on a series 3 XKE with minimal problems.

 

"......scout canadian/euro etypes, maybe they did not have the bumper blocks.
also, 71 usa models do not have the blocky bumper. very clean look, but euro cars have su carbs instead of the strombergs."

No Euro E types were fitted with the rubber bumper blocks. All had chrome overriders which can be fitted to US models. All V12s worldwide were fitted with Strombergs. SUs are a mod that Jag specialists have come up with in the last few years. They are a straight forward fitment but require the brake master cylinder to be angled slightly.

Series 2 E types were the ones with Strombergs for US and SUs for Europe.

 

http://etype.e-type-only.de/wp-content/0_wahlsinn/wahlsinn_english.swf

 

Back in the the 80's, when I was at my mechanics shop with my '66, a guy would show up with his 12c and say that is the only time he actually drove the car-to see him. I would drive my 6c from nassau county on LI to Staten Island, pick up a girl, drive to South Hampton and back to Staten Island and then back to Long Island in a day without missing a beat. If you want want an E, get a 6c.. that's the engine that worked for the C & D type.

 

My boss bought one from a very reputable shop in the UK. He had it about a year and sold it.

Why? Too much trouble for the payoff.