Jaguar S-Type 3.8

One of Auto Motor Klassiek's loyal readers approached us in an original way. He just emailed a valuation report of a Jaguar S-Type 3.8. Admittedly, that didn't lie. A very charming car was thoroughly assessed on numerous points. A report you can take home with you! We understood very well what the owner meant by this and got in touch. When we met a few days later, words were still superfluous. As I walk to the back of a barn, the stern of a British beauty slowly but surely becomes visible. In all its glory, the beautiful bordeaux sparkles in the winter sun. What a picture.   

Innovative

The Jaguar S-type came on the market in 1963 and was based on the design of the Jaguar Mk2, which had been introduced four years earlier. The Jaguar S-type was positioned above the Mk2 and below the MkX in the model range. Essentially the 'S' was a modified version of the Mk2 and thus improved in many ways. One of the technological improvements was the independent rear suspension that was first delivered on the more luxurious MkX. After a production year, the Jaguar S-Type was again tackled by, for example, mounting radial tires instead of crossply tires. The gearbox was also replaced with a synchromesh on all four gears, which was much more user-friendly and an overdrive was introduced.

Chattering teeth

Here on the farm is a Jaguar S-Type 3.8. Delivered new on February 28, 1967 in California. Ordered in burgundy paint, red leather and wire wheels. This top model of the time was equipped with the six-cylinder XK in-line engine with a double carburettor instead of a triple, due to some lack of space. The Jaguar was imported from California to the Netherlands in 1995 by the then chairman of the Jaguar-Daimler-Club-Nederland. The owner managed to keep the car as a time capsule by means of a perfect storage, good maintenance and in good weather (so very occasionally) a short drive. Although the car was perfectly restored 19 years ago, the condition of this Jaguar is still almost perfect today. As the owner walks over to the Jaguar S-Type 3.8 to move it, he adds that the car was recently fitted with a 1-2-3 ignition and a larger battery. “No more starting problems!” I think it's dangerous to shout a few seconds before you actually want to demonstrate a 51-year-old British piece of technology on a then freezing day.

Fancy some tea

But the six-cylinder does indeed start accurately and satisfied the owner smoothly sends the Jaguar to the right place. Also in between taking the pictures the car has to be restarted a few times, but it all works flawlessly. Talk about flawless. It's also a party inside. The impressive dashboard made of solid walnut wood looks like a wall unit with counters and switches that you sit right in front of with your red leather Chesterfield. I almost forget to look outside and I feel like tea.

The head cool

The powerful engine, together with the manual transmission with 4 gears + overdrive makes this a great driving car that can keep up with today's traffic. In 10 seconds the Jaguar S-Type dashes from 0 to 100 km/h and the top speed would be 201 km/h! In this type of effort, the later fitted Kenlowe Fan kicks into action to support the cooling system. This ensures that the car can keep a cool head even then.

Pricing

The prices of this type of Jaguar are, like many other British from this era, very reasonable, while (or because) the quality is sometimes debatable. If you want to rise above this discussion, just enjoy yourself and have your view on the future, invest time and energy in the search for a good copy. Only 25.000 were ever made and the Jaguar S-Type is really a better car than the often more expensive Mk2. A Jaguar S-Type like this will give you a lot of pleasure from your investment, but don't forget to keep things well and punctual. That was, is and will be all worth it.