Jaguar S-Type 3.8 Manual

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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 1965 example was specified with the larger 3.8-litre engine mated to an automatic gearbox and was the subject of a bare-metal restoration from 2002 until 2005 during which it was converted to a manual overdrive transmission. At this time it had covered some 63,000 miles from new, its white paintwork being repainted in a Dark Opalescent Blue. Photographs on file show the extent of the work done and a file of invoices shows significant expenditure during the period including new fuel tanks and sub frame.

Purchased by the vendor in 2008 with an indicated 64,000 miles, he has since added 10,000 to that total, using the car regularly for local trips and longer forays. Fitted with a modified power steering system, a high torque starter, manual choke, spin-on oil filter and electronic ignition, the modifications to the car have been introduced to improve reliability without deviating too far from the original specification.

A new radiator was fitted in 2009, the top end overhauled in 2011 and in 2012 a new brake servo was fitted along with new front coil springs. The most recent work includes replacement rear shock absorber bushes and a new ‘shade-band’ windscreen and rubbers.

The vendor informs us that the polybushed suspension and later synchro gearbox make it a pleasure to drive, the overdrive working smoothly as it should. It is taxed and MOTd until October 2014 and will be driven some 150 miles to the sale.

In very presentable condition and sensibly modified for regular use, this 3.8-litre S-Type is reluctantly being offered for sale due to loss of storage and is available at a fraction of the cost that it would take to bring even an average example up to this condition.