The British have a way of combining luxury, V12 performance, and style in a way that is completely unique in the automotive world, and the E-Type is the ultimate expression of their craft. This shining blue 1974 Jaguar XKE Series III open two-seater delivers everything that its looks promise in a fashion that could only come from Britain.1974 was the final year for the E-Type in America (ok, XKE if you stick to the USA designation.) By then it had fully matured into a grand touring machine. It retained the breathtaking design that has the car top the list of the most beautiful cars in the world, and it also continued with the strong monocoque chassis. But now it was a car built to go longer distances and make the weekend getaway feel more comfortable. All of this you already know for Jaguar history, so what you really want to know about this example is its level of quality. You can already see that the gaps look straight and correct, which helps the sunlight roll evenly off the professional application of the Cobalt-like blue. This is the product of having two careful owners since the late '70s, and staying under the same mechanic's care this whole period. The folding black roof adds some distinction to the front and rear riders, and the iconic wraparound chrome bumpers look so good we'd guess they're new. And of course, it wouldn't be a true sporting Jag without single-hub wire wheels.Only the British can make the blue-on-blue setup look this nice. The dark blue interior centers around buckets that are firm, supportive, and have the high-backed design for all-day comfort. You get the classic three-spoke sports steering wheel, and ahead of that are two large Smiths gauges for the speedo and tach. More E-Type charm comes from the center stack with an array of rocker switches, secondary gauges, and an upgraded AM/FM/CD stereo head unit mounted down low. And while the Series III convertibles are the ones known for providing the most interior space and comfort, there is one feature that truly lets you know this is an anytime roadster. The air conditioning is still blowing ice cold, which means you can take the top down on this one any time of year.The 5.3-liter V12 was designed with Americans in mind, and its long legs and effortless torque make the E-Type an ideal long-distance cruiser. They're also surprisingly easy to maintain (a skilled hobbyist could tune those side-draft carburetors.) It's no problem for this big cat to maintain normal highway speeds, but jabbing the accelerator results in a massive rush of torque and the most spine-tingling exhaust note this side of a Ferrari. The three-speed automatic transmission is a Borg Warner model that has the robustness to handle all this power. But more than just a proper setup, this roadster has been properly maintained. Besides just the knowledge of it being under the same care nearly all its life, you can see the level of quality in the presentation of the engine bay and the condition of the undercarriage (including the newer stainless steel dual exhaust.) This is the kind of care that gives you confidence to enjoy the fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes (yes, the rear ones are still inboard) to their fullest on your favorite road. An E-type is an experience every enthusiast must have once in his or her life. To have a turnkey V12 roadster with the A/C keeping everything comfortable means you get the best of British luxury and performance all in one car. Call today!!!