Lot Ended
Description
Just three owners from new, the first for 30 years and the second for
36 years; sympathetically restored in the early 1990s and carefully maintained
since; recent new clutch kit, tyres and brake discs; electronic ignition;
stainless steel exhaust; inertia reel seatbelts; gorgeous red leather interior;
lots to love about this one!
Known simply as
the Jaguar 2.4-Litre, the new saloon that Sir William Lyons launched in 1955 was
Jaguar’s first venture into monocoque construction, moving away from the heavy
separate chassis of the larger MkVII. This made the car lighter, stiffer and
more agile, setting the stage for the hugely popular MkII which replaced it at
the start of the Sixties.
The 2.4 was powered by
a short-stroke version of the XK120’s twin-cam straight-six which produced
112bhp and could launch to car to 60mph in 14 seconds on its way to a top speed
of 102mph. The early cars had drum brakes but in late-1957 disc brakes were
available as an option, fitted to all four wheels – cutting-edge stuff at the
time.
A 210bhp 3.4 version was soon introduced
which had a top speed of 120mph, but it is widely accepted that the lighter 2.4
engine made for a nimbler car, especially when fitted with the manual overdrive
gearbox.
This fabulous 2.4 was first registered
in October 1958 and has the desirable manual overdrive gearbox and disc brakes
all round. It has had just three owners from new, according to the V5C, the
first being a Mr J De Sanio of Hackney who was to keep it for 30 years.
In 1989 it was acquired by a Mrs C White of Frinton-on-Sea who was to
keep it for 36 years. Immediately after buying the car, she sent it to RJ Mallon
of Hosker Garage in Southbourne for what looks like a fairly major restoration
which took two years to complete, as documented in invoices on
file.
This included new sills and a full repaint;
engine overhaul; new wire wheels; stainless steel exhaust system and a
refurbished interior.
There are 15 old MOTs on
file which show that the mileage at this point was around 70,000 and the car was
in light regular use thereafter, covering some 7,000 miles over the next 17
years. This included taking part in the RAC MCA Euro Classic Run in 1993 and
1994, a four-day touring event from Brands Hatch in Kent to the Nurburgring in
Germany and back again, a round trip of around 800 miles.
Over the
last 15 years the car has been very lightly used, only another 900 miles or so
being added to the odometer which currently shows 78,383 miles. There are lots
of invoices for routine maintenance over the years, and in recent times it has
been looked after by Automo of Berkshire with bills for some £7,500 over the
last 10 years alone. Items of note include:
December 2025 – new clutch kit
Jan/Feb
2022 – four new tyres and inner tubes; new inertia reel seatbelts front and rear
November 2021 – major service including four new
brake discs and fitment of 123 electronic ignition
August 2014 – new pair of GAZ adjustable rear shock
absorbers
As you can see in the photos and the
video, this Jaguar MkI looks a million dollars with excellent chromework,
reassuringly straight and solid bodywork and a wonderfully mellowed red leather
interior that complements the gleaming black paint
perfectly.
An original factory service manual is
also included which covers every conceivable aspect of the car in enormous
detail. The icing on the cake is the original 922 CCV number plate which is
transferable, according to the V5C, and doubtless has a value of its own.
Starting promptly and running sweetly as we have
moved it around on site, with healthy 40psi oil pressure, this black beauty now
seeks a caring fourth owner who can add their own chapter to its 68-year life to
date.
We like this car a lot and we are sure
that you will too, so make sure you come and see it!
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com