Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 40 years, and is the founder and publisher of this magazine. Keith has also written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, has been an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrmann Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame, and more. He has served on the board of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar’s Award. Learn more about Keith here.
Last week an SCMer responded to my blog by writing, “You’re selling the Jag? That’s been the best classic car you’ve ever owned. The most reliable, the most original and the least expensive to operate? Why?” I checked my records. When the 1971 Jaguar E-type V12 coupe arrived in Portland on April 24, 2020, the odometer read 22,238 miles. I had documentation supporting that these were original miles, and that the paint and interior surfaces were original. Only the headliner had been replaced. Its VIN is 1S71487BW, and if you google that, you will find internet references to the car and […]
Last week an SCMer responded to my blog by writing, “You’re selling the Jag? That’s been the best classic car you’ve ever owned. The most reliable, the most original and the least expensive to operate? Why?”
I checked my records. When the 1971 Jaguar E-type V12 coupe arrived in Portland on April 24, 2020, the odometer read 22,238 miles. I had documentation supporting that these were original miles, and that the paint and interior surfaces were original. Only the headliner had been replaced.
Its VIN is 1S71487BW, and if you google that, you will find internet references to the car and its mileage stretching back to 2000.
The odometer read 32,389 on November 26, 2025, when I last had the car serviced. This included having a new exhaust system installed, the ignition switch lubed and the oil changed. (I have never had to add a drop of oil in all the time I have had it, although I had regular oil changes (12 quarts each time.)
When I pulled up all the records, I had spent $7,000 in maintenance and parts with Ed and Barb Grayson at Consolidated Auto Works, while covering 10,151 miles. That’s just $0.69 a mile, perhaps the least cost per mile that a classic car has ever run me.
At the same time, the car has never let me down. Through four 1,000-mile SCM 1000s and two 1000-mile NW Passages, the Jag V12 has run like a freight train, cruising easily at 90 mph with a/c chilling the interior, while crossing the Oregon High Desert in 90-degree weather.
It is perhaps the most original V12 coupe with both verified original miles and serious miles driven in existence. I will never find another like it.
So why sell it?
In some ways, the answer is simple. I’ve done just about everything I can imagine doing with this car, which means it’s time to move on to another set of driving experiences. It is the most capable and comfortable classic I have ever owned. But it is still a 55-year-old car, and I’m simply ready for something newer.
Recently, I bought a 2005 Porsche 911 C4S Tiptronic with 70,000 miles. It’s a creampuff of a car, and easy for me to get in and out of. I don’t need help opening three hood latches as I do with the Jag, nor do I have the same slight sense of concern that I do when I’m in any classic. BTW, it has 70,000 miles, more than twice that of the Jag.
The Oregon Porsche Club seems to delight in multi-day tours with up to 1,500 miles of driving. I’m just a little nervous going on such long trips, surrounded by mostly modern 911s, in my 1971 classic. Therefore, the Jag is currently at Matt Crandall’s 911r, being fluffed and buffed prior to being listed on BaT at No Reserve.
Yes, I will be sorry to see it go, and so will the Jaguar Owners of Oregon (JOCO), where it has been a favorite on their tours.
Will I miss the car? Of course. But I can truthfully say owning it has been the most rewarding, trouble-free classic car experience I have ever had, with nothing but good memories to look back on. I’ve been lucky to have had these six years and 10,000 miles of E-type ownership.
I suspect you may miss this one when it’s gone. I hope you’ll find some other English offering that catches your eye, if only a 21st century Bentley.
Interestingly, another primrose yellow V12 sold last week on a different platform, with relatively low miles (53k). It drew nearly 20,000 views and 25 bids.
Larry Smith
Did I miss reading about your new purchase? I would love to hear the details.
Beautiful JAG V12
You definately had your fun.
Always Tough to Say Good Bye to Those BEAUTIFUL & SEXY BRITS!
Have Fun with the PORSCHE
anatoly arutunoff
i had one of both–but i never thought to check; my question is: does an early ferrari v12 have the same firing order as a lambo v12? at idle they sounded different to me but i just don’t know!
Kevin Stubing
My problem is I become too attached to my cars. My 1999 Z3 coupe came in 2002 and I can’t ever see parting with it. It’s almost a family member. I’ve had my 86 Ferrari 328 GTS for 13 years and while not as attached emotionally I still can’t see myself parting with it for quite a while. I attempted to sell it a few years ago and got cold feet before buyer picked it up. My wife claims that I don’t purchase cars I adopt them!
David Andersen
Always a tough call to move on from a well-loved car. We all have our reasons for doing so, and when it’s time, it’s time. I know the feeling well. Of the 22 or so “fun” cars I’ve owned since the late ’70s, there’s only been one or two I have regretted selling. The others you move on from and look forward to whatever’s next.
6 responses to “Keith’s Blog: Goodbye, V12”
I suspect you may miss this one when it’s gone. I hope you’ll find some other English offering that catches your eye, if only a 21st century Bentley.
Interestingly, another primrose yellow V12 sold last week on a different platform, with relatively low miles (53k). It drew nearly 20,000 views and 25 bids.
Did I miss reading about your new purchase? I would love to hear the details.
Beautiful JAG V12
You definately had your fun.
Always Tough to Say Good Bye to Those BEAUTIFUL & SEXY BRITS!
Have Fun with the PORSCHE
i had one of both–but i never thought to check; my question is: does an early ferrari v12 have the same firing order as a lambo v12? at idle they sounded different to me but i just don’t know!
My problem is I become too attached to my cars. My 1999 Z3 coupe came in 2002 and I can’t ever see parting with it. It’s almost a family member. I’ve had my 86 Ferrari 328 GTS for 13 years and while not as attached emotionally I still can’t see myself parting with it for quite a while. I attempted to sell it a few years ago and got cold feet before buyer picked it up. My wife claims that I don’t purchase cars I adopt them!
Always a tough call to move on from a well-loved car. We all have our reasons for doing so, and when it’s time, it’s time. I know the feeling well. Of the 22 or so “fun” cars I’ve owned since the late ’70s, there’s only been one or two I have regretted selling. The others you move on from and look forward to whatever’s next.