Description

1965 Jaguar S-Type 3.8 Manual Overdrive

Restored in 2019 at a cost of over £34,000 and only 500 miles since; current owner 13 years; a lovely car in all respects

The S-Type Jaguar: the thinking man’s Mk2. Everything the Mk2 has and better handling to boot. And a much bigger boot too. Not as pert as the Mk2, perhaps, but a superior car in all respects.
Launched in 1963, the S-Type was designed to plug the gap between the smooth riding and ultra-luxurious MkX and the rather antiquated live axle Mk2. Sharing the MkX’s independent rear suspension, the S-Type was a far more sophisticated car than the Mk2, the improved ride/handling being complemented by power steering as standard and a more lavishly equipped interior.
The S-Type came with either a 3.4 or 3.8-litre XK engine, featuring a modified version of the Mk2 bodyshell with restyled front and rear ends. The front had its own distinctive grille, shrouded headlamps and a slim-line bumper while the rear looked very similar to the large MkX. The end result was a fine luxury sports saloon that outpaced the Mk2 it was based on. Production ceased in 1968 when the superlative XJ6 arrived by which time almost 25,000 S-Types had been sold, of which 15,000 had the 3.8 engine.
This stunning S-Type 3.8 manual overdrive was first registered to the Universal Tape Printing Company of Saffron Walden in September 1965. Two green logbooks show that it remained in East Anglia for the next 40 years before moving to Worcestershire in 2008 when the current owner acquired it.
Although the car was in good condition when our vendor acquired it, he eventually wanted it to be perfect so in 2019 it was entrusted to Restoreacar of Blockley for a full restoration. The car was stripped to a bare shell and sand blasted, the bodywork was repaired as necessary (with very little welding being required) and the whole car repainted in the original Golden Sand Metallic. Not entirely happy with the first repaint, the owner had it done again – as you can see in the photos it is now absolutely gorgeous.
All the brightwork was rechromed and a new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted along with a new set of tyres. The engine and gearbox were closely inspected while they were out of the car and needed little more than cleaning and detailing although new carburettors were fitted along with a complete new wiring loom, new brake servo plus a host of other parts. All the interior woodwork was also refurbished, the bill for this lot coming to £26,000.
The car was then sent to Prestige Automotive of Somerset for a handcrafted interior to be fitted. This cost £8,000 and included: bespoke tan leather seat covers; bespoke leather door cards; leather underdash, centre console, rear parcel shelf and A and B pillar covers; new furflex; wool headlining; wool carpets edged in tan leather with double layer jute undercarpets; new boot lining in black grained hardura.
We are told that numerous other jobs have also been carried out for which there are no invoices – clutch; steering; suspension; refurbished Motorola radio etc. We are also told that the current indicated mileage of c.79,800 is genuine.
Since the restoration was completed the car has only covered around 500 miles and the engine oil and filter were renewed about 300 miles ago. Driven some 40 miles to the sale, it has been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site with excellent 60psi oil pressure. The original tool kit is also present.
As good an S-Type as we have ever seen, DEB 500C is being offered here at substantially less than the money lavished upon her to date.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com