Lot Ended
Description
1965 Jaguar S-Type 3.8 MOD
No
Reserve
From long term ownership; unused for many years; VSE
fully reconditioned engine fitted in 1999 but never run in the car;
stainless exhaust; easy and worthwhile project
Initially
work had commenced at Browns Lane on a direct replacement for the Jaguar MkII,
but it continued to sell so well that Sir William Lyons decided to use the new
car to plug a gap between the MkII and the recently introduced and extremely
large MkX.
Making
good use of the excellent IRS set up that was introduced in both the new E-Type
and MkX in 1961, the resulting S-Type proved popular when unveiled in 1963,
supplied with either 3.4-litre or 3.8-litre XK engines fitted with twin
carburettors.
The
excellent rear suspension offered a wider track than the MkII which gave more
interior space as well as a much improved ride. The rear section of the bodywork
was restyled to emulate more closely the MkX (although obviously not as big) and
a version of the front of the MkII was incorporated, but sharpened up with
thinner bumpers and more deeply recessed fog lights.
It
did the job well, remaining in production alongside a slightly modified version
marketed as the Jaguar 420 until 1968, at which point the whole range became
redundant (with the exception of the gargantuan MkX) when the stunning new XJ6
arrived on the scene.
This low-owner S-Type dates from 1965 and was
ordered with a manual gearbox and the larger 3.8-litre engine. Painted gold, it
sports a full-length Webasto sunroof, although we are not sure when this was
added.
It changed hands several times before it came into our vendor's
late father's ownership way back in 1985. He used it as his everyday for a
while, the vendor remembering trips to school in his youth.
By the late
'90s, it was decided that it needed a major overhaul and work commenced.
The engine was sent to Jaguar specialists VSE for a full rebuild. Duly
completed, paperwork on file shows a lead-free conversion, water pump and
distributor overhaul and the full nine-yards internally, with a rebore, new
pistons, core plugs, a crank grind, new bearings, balance, new little end bushes
etc...it was fully dyno tested in February 1999.
The manifolds were
enamelled black and the unit installed, but never run, so the engine in the car
is effectively in fully rebuilt condition. A stainless exhaust had also been
acquired and appears to have either never been fitted, or seen little
use.
The car has been sitting ever since in a dry barn which has
protected the bodywork well. There are some areas of corrosion, but the photos
show it has remained remarkably solid. It also appears to be complete, although
we couldn't locate the hub caps.
Three old MOTs on file would suggest it
has just tipped over the 100,000 mile mark, the file also containing a handbook,
lubrification chart and a spare handbook for a 420G...
Altogether a very
worthwhile project which should pose few challenges. Thanks to the rebuilt
mechanicals, the costs associated with returning this car to the road should be
relatively modest.
For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT