The Jaguar XKE Series 3 V-12 received plenty of criticism for an outdated basic design, but no one could deny the Coventry cat's magnificent V-12 engine. Jaguar sent the beloved XKE out on a note that sounded sour then, but rings pretty sweet today.

Jaguar XKE Series 3 V-12 Specifications

Years produced	1971-1975
Number built	15,290
Configuration	Front engine; two-seat and 2+2
Body style	Convertible, 2+2 coupe
Suspension, front	Independent with torsion bars
Suspension, rear	Independent with four coil springs
Wheelbase (inches)	105
Track, front (inches)	54.5
Track, rear (inches)	53
Overall length (inches)	184

Jaguar XKE Series 3 V-12 Engines

Engine	V-12
Type	60-deg. V-12 aluminum block and heads, one overhead camshaft per head, two valves per cylinder
Displacement, liters/cc	5.3/5343
Maximum horsepower	295

Jaguar XKE Series 3 V-12 Performance

Best 0-60 mph (seconds)	6.4
Best top speed (mph)	146

For more on Jaguar and other great cars, see:

• Jaguar Cars: Check out more information on the great sporting cars.
  
• How Sports Cars Work: Get the lowdown on hundreds of fantastic sports cars from the 1940s to today.
  
• Classic Cars: Learn about the world's most coveted automobiles in these illustrated profiles.
  
• Ferrari: Learn about every significant Ferrari road car and racing car.
  
• New Jaguars: Reviews, ratings, prices, and specifications on the current Jaguar lineup from the auto editors of Consumer Guide.
  
• Used Jaguars: Reviews, recalls, trouble spots, and more on pre-owned Jaguars starting with the 1990 model year. From the auto editors of Consumer Guide.