Description

1961 Jaguar MkIX

From a deceased estate; two owners since 1977; only 39,500 miles indicated and only 5,400 miles since full engine rebuild; manual overdrive; power steering; a fabulous example of this sporting saloon

The car for which the famous Jaguar marketing slogan 'Grace, Space and Pace' was originally coined, the 1951 Jaguar MkVII was William Lyons at his most inspired. Designed entirely by eye, the car was a beautifully proportioned sequence of curves that turned a large machine into a lithe and muscular animal. Despite its considerable bulk it quickly gained a name for itself in competition, clocking up many famous wins in rallies and production car races.

Powered by the same 3.4 straight-six as used in the XK sports car range, it was one of the few cars that could live with the 100mph pace of the Bentley Continental – yet it cost just a fifth of the price. The car was improved still further with the launch of the Mark VIIM in 1954, which had a revised cylinder head to boost power to 190bhp and a closer-ratio manual gearbox.

In 1956 further revisions led to the MkVIII, now with 210bhp, a single-piece windscreen, cut-away wheel spats and a revised interior. The final variant was the MkIX of 1958, now with a larger 3.8 engine producing 220bhp, disc brakes all round and much-needed power steering as standard. The MIX was replaced by the completely different unitary-construction MkX in 1961, by which time 10,009 had been sold of which 5,983 were RHD, the others mainly going to the American market.

This wonderful MkIX was first registered in London in January 1961. Nothing is known of the car’s subsequent history but an email from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust confirms that it retains its original engine and chassis numbers, that it was painted black when it left the factory and was distributed new via Henlys of London.

An old style V5 suggests that it perhaps had just one owner until 1977 when it was acquired by a Mr Herbert Taylor of Malvern from whom our vendor acquired it in October 1991. By this time the car was still in good condition (as shown in photos on file) but had been off the road for some time due to a failed oil pump.

An engineer in the oil industry well used to working on complex machinery, the vendor had already restored an E-Type in the past and set about a complete body-off restoration which took four years to complete as he worked abroad for nine months of the year.

Although there are no invoices to document the work, there are around 40 photos on file showing the restoration as it progressed. This included renovating and repainting the chassis, localised bodywork repairs and paintwork and a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings etc. A stainless steel exhaust system was also fitted.

The interior leather and woodwork were all in lovely original condition and needed nothing more than a good clean, although rear seat belts have been added for safety. The original tools, grease gun and spare bulbs are still in their compartments in the front door cards and the original wheel changing kit is still in the boot along with sundry useful spares and maintenance manuals etc.

Finally back on the road in 1995, the Jaguar rewarded the vendor’s skill and hard work by winning the ‘Best Restoration’ trophy at the Wirral Classic Car Club gathering in 2000. As you can see in the photos, it is still in lovely condition today with just a couple of minor blemishes to the door bottoms.

On offer here from a deceased estate, the car has been starting easily and running nicely as we have moved it around on site. The last MOT expired in December 2019 since when it has only covered a handful of miles, while another 16 old MOTs show that it has only covered some 5,400 miles since the restoration was completed in 1995, being unused from 2010 to 2016. We are told that the current indicated mileage of 39,481 is genuine and the overall condition of the car leaves no reason to doubt this.

One of the nicest examples we have ever seen, this impressive MkIX will no doubt be capable of winning more trophies on the show circuit, should the fortunate new owner feel so inclined.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com