Lot Ended
Description
1969 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 S1
Early chrome dial
example; exceptionally sound and original bodywork; recently recommissioned
following a period in storage
When the Jaguar XJ6 was unveiled in 1968, it took the
concept of the luxury sports saloon to a whole new level with astonishing
standards of refinement that have not been significantly bettered to this
day.
The company had found itself with a complex range of saloons
which competed amongst themselves for sales. A buyer could choose between a
Jaguar MkII, Daimler V8, S-Type or the gargantuan 420G, all on offer at not
dissimilar prices. At a stroke, the new XJ6 kicked them all into the long grass,
along with all their competitors, none of whom could match the
performance, looks, ride quality and of course the legendary Jaguar
value-for-money.
Available with the XK-derived 2.8-litre or 4.2-litre
dohc six-cylinder engines, they found favour amongst the successful in society,
whether show business, new money or the old guard. A series of TV advertisements
featured Sir William Lyons claiming it to be the "Finest Jaguar ever", a boast
few could disagree with.
First registered in London in August 1969, this XJ6 has
had six owners from new, the current since 2004. An early ‘chrome dial'
SWB model, it sadly has no history whatsoever but judging by the excellent
rust-free state of the outer panels and the underside, it must have led a
pampered life to date. It appears never to have had any welding, nor does it
need any – it is even rock solid under the rear seats with the original factory
sound-proofing still in place.
An online MOT history check draws a blank so it must have
been off the road for at least 15 years or more. Recently unearthed from
storage, it has just been recommissioned and treated to various new parts to get
it into roadworthy condition. These include the radiator; all engine bay hoses;
exhaust system; front suspension ball joints, shock absorbers and track rod
ends; steering rack gaiters; brake flexi pipes and pads; accelerator and speedo
cables; rear trailing arms and axle mounting rubbers.
It has also been treated to a full repaint in the original
Regency Red, although this has not been done to a particularly high standard and
it would benefit from a good machine polish at the very least. The boot lid also
has some dents which would ideally be sorted out at the same time. The chrome
surrounds for the front and rear screens are present in the boot, as is a spare
rear parcel shelf, the one currently fitted being blighted by some rather nasty
speakers from the ‘80s.
The interior is fairly presentable with decent Biscuit
leather seats (which the cognoscenti will recognise as the wider-pleated Daimler
items) and what appear to be the original carpets, although the headlining has
sagged and the cant rails/rear screen surrounds could do with retrimming too. No
big deal as all the materials are readily available at modest cost from
those excellent chaps at Aldridge Trimming in Wolverhampton.
Since being returned to the road, CAN 476H has covered
around 400 trouble-free miles and was driven some 60 miles to the sale on what
was a boiling hot day with no problems whatsoever, the vendor reporting that the
oil pressure never dropped below 40psi and the temperature gauge stayed
reassuringly low, even when queuing in traffic. However he does advise that the
speedo is a bit erratic, the rev counter doesn’t work and the fuel gauge only
shows quarter-full even when full to the brim.
Due to the ravages of tin worm, the XJ6 Series One didn’t
enjoy a great survival rate and good ones are now few and far between. The real
attraction of this one is the fabulously well-preserved body shell. Chuck some
some time and effort at the cosmetics and you could have a real show-stopper on
your hands.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT