From a uniquely specified supercharged saloon to E-types, a restored XJ12 and a familiar magazine test car, the NEC auctions offer plenty for Jaguar enthusiasts to explore.

Harry Metcalfe’s Merlin Purple Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is set to be one of the star attractions when Iconic Auctioneers returns to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC on 14–15 November.

Offered directly from the collection of the Harry’s Garage presenter and estimated at £140,000–£160,000, the 2018 car has a connection to the Project 8 story that goes considerably deeper than celebrity ownership. Harry was an external consultant and Executive Advisor to Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations team during the model’s formative stages, taking a close interest in its development before buying this example new. According to the auction description, he was told it was the first customer car, with preceding examples understood to have been development vehicles.

Its appeal is easy to understand. The Project 8 took the familiar outline of the XE and transformed it into an extraordinary performance machine, combining a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with all-wheel drive, extensive chassis changes and purposeful aerodynamics. Here, however, that engineering comes wrapped in a particularly individual specification: Merlin Purple paintwork, complemented by gold-coloured wheels.

For followers of Harry’s Garage, it will also be a familiar car. Its ownership has been shared through films covering everything from track driving to an Autobahn outing, giving prospective buyers an unusually extensive insight into its life. The catalogue records 19,904 miles, while servicing by Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall includes a visit in August 2026. The appropriate registration, P8 SVO, accompanies the car.

Nick Mason’s E-type

There is another well-known name attached to one of the more traditional Jaguars in the sale. A 1973 E-type Series 3 V12 Roadster, offered directly from Nick Mason’s Ten Tenths Collection, carries an estimate of £60,000–£70,000. With a manual gearbox, low recorded mileage and long-term collection provenance, it offers an appealing combination for anyone drawn to the relaxed performance and open-air enjoyment of the final E-type generation. The auction description also emphasises its history of being driven and enjoyed.

Those whose interests lie with the earliest E-types should investigate a 1961 Series 1 3.8-litre Roadster, estimated at £85,000–£100,000. Described as a restored, matching-numbers example, it combines the sought-after early flat-floor configuration with Opalescent Gunmetal paintwork and red leather. It promises to be one of the more eye-catching traditional Jaguars on display.

A different sort of E-type interest comes with a 1968 Series 2 4.2-litre Coupé, chassis 1R20001. According to the catalogue description, its accompanying Heritage Certificate identifies it as the first right-hand-drive Series 2 fixed-head coupé supplied. Offered from long-term family ownership, it is described as having scope for cosmetic and mechanical improvement, with an estimate of £30,000–£35,000. For an enthusiast who enjoys researching and preserving a car’s place in Jaguar history, that chassis number provides an intriguing starting point.

The saloon contingent deserves attention too, particularly a 1972 Series 1 XJ12, estimated at £28,000–£34,000. Finished in Sable Brown, this short-wheelbase example is described as having undergone an eight-year restoration costing around £50,000, returning it to its original factory specification. It offers a very different expression of Jaguar performance from the Project 8: V12 power delivered through the elegant, understated shape of the original XJ.

Chris Harris’s XKR

For buyers seeking something more recent, Sunday’s Classic Sale includes “Big Red”, the 2010 Jaguar XKR familiar from Chris Harris’s evo long-term reports. With an estimate of £16,000–£20,000, it brings another recognisable motoring-media connection to the weekend, at a considerably more accessible guide price than the headline Project 8.

These cars provide ample reason to make the auction display part of your NEC visit. Whether your preference is for an early E-type, a V12 saloon or a supercharged modern Jaguar, there are some fascinating ownership stories waiting to begin their next chapter.

Viewing opens on Friday 13 November, with the Iconic Sale on Saturday 14 November and the Classic Sale on Sunday 15 November. All figures quoted are pre-sale estimates; buyers should check the applicable premiums, fees, catalogue updates and individual vehicle descriptions before bidding. Explore the catalogues and registration details at: www.iconicauctioneers.com.