Bidders To Battle For Best Jag

Bidders To Battle For Best Jag
For decades debate has raged over which is the Best Jaguar.

But now this title can be applied, quite literally, to a classic V12 E-Type going under the hammer next week.

That’s because it once belonged to the late, legendary former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer George Best.

Few available Jags will be so coveted this year. Experts believe it’s likely to fetch anything from £40,000 to £60,000 at the H&H Classics auction on October 14.

Enzo Ferrari himself hailed the V12 as the world’s “most beautiful” motor ever.

A potted history of Georgie’s jag

• 1971: sporting icon Best buys the model from new, to his own specifications. Its 310bhp gives him the capability of 0-60mph over 6.8 seconds.
• 1972-74: regularly featured on the TV news after Best drives away from a series of rows with Tommy Docherty, the then Manchester United manager.
• 1974: Best sells his pride and joy.

A potted history of the Series II Roadster V12

• built specifically to race
• made its first appearance at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show in 1961
• it had all the advantages of achieving speeds of 150mph at only a portion of the cost of similarly-performing Ferraris
• under 8,000 models were manufactured from 1971

How can I bid (or just view the auction)?

Where? Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Cambs. CB22 4QR
When? Wednesday, October 14

What the expert says

Damian Jones, director of H&H sales, says he is constantly surrounded by the planet’s greatest classics. But even he admits he is personally tempted by this beauty.

He says the machine and its driver are legends and believes there are loads of driving enthusiasts who would love to get behind its wheel.