Jaguar E Type V12, Red, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $47,595.

Every car guy should own a Jaguar once in his life, an E-Type if possible. The British have a way of combining luxury, 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 bright red 1974 Series III convertible delivers everything that its looks promise in a fashion that is uniquely British.

By 1974, the E-Type had grown, and was more of a grand touring machine than corner-carving sports car, but that's exactly the right place for it to live. This one has been carefully maintained over the years and restored as necessary, wearing classic Signal Red over a tan leather interior. It's easy to spot cars that have never been rusty or damaged, because their enormous bonnets fit well and the doors open and close easily, just as they do on this roadster. The paint offers great gloss that draws attention to the length of the front end and the curvaceous rear fenders, and few cars are better at attracting a crowd than this one. The chrome is very good, including the grille and bumpers, although the federally mandated rubber overriders don't do the styling any favors.

Rich tan hides fill the cabin with smells that others like Lexus have tried to duplicate, but never quite managed to succeed. The buckets are firm and supportive, and show very little wear aside from what the British refer to as comfort marks on the driver's seat cushion. Matching wool carpets have been fitted and their edges are bound with more tan leather. Handsome Smiths gauges are a British icon, and they're all functional, including the tachometer which offers a surprising 6500 RPM redline. More E-Type charm comes from the center stack with an array of rocker switches, auxiliary gauges, and a modern AM/FM/CD stereo head unit down low. The delicate shifter for the automatic transmission seems out of place in a car with this much performance, but somehow it fits the car's personality perfectly.

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 reliable, and even with those side-draft carburetors, easy for the skilled hobbyist to tune properly. The big cat just loafs along at 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 all-independent suspension perfectly balances handling and ride, and the Jag is equally at home on the interstate or a twisting mountain road. Inboard disc brakes were a Jaguar tradition left over from racing, and brilliant chrome wire wheels are period perfect.

This E-Type transcends boundaries, and instantly commands respect wherever it goes. Show up in this car and every man will want to be you, and every woman will want to find out how the passenger's seat feels. Call today!