1967 Jaguar 240

With the bodywork restored just 20,000 miles ago,  ‘VLU 136G’ is finished in Opalescent Silver Blue with wire wheels and a red leather interior, which makes it the perfect MKII colour specification, surely?

It’s also a genuine right-hand drive, UK-spec Jaguar 240 that’s had just six keepers in its life and comes with a good history file.

Oh, and it’s also being offered with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid.

Jaguar’s quality control in the late sixties wasn’t always as good as it might have been, so to see shutlines this consistent and panels this well aligned speaks of many hours of new panels being massaged into place. 

Mind you, when you see that the invoices on file for that 2016 restoration, work that included replacing both front wheelarch inner baffles, an offside front outer wheelarch, nearside front wheelarch, two rear spats, and sill, floor, and pillar panels before painting, its condition comes as less of a surprise.

As for its subsequent curation, the coachwork is still free of dents and dinks, the flanks run true, and the paintwork is holding up every bit as well. Opalescent Silver Blue is a terrific colour for the model being both regal and contemporary, and this one looks terrific.

It also acts as a successful foil for the extensive chromework. This is in much the same condition as the coachwork, being shiny and straight with only light pitting to a few areas such as the window surrounds. 

The bumpers and front grille, which are probably the most noticeable chromed feature, are very good, as is the leaper on the bonnet.

The 15-inch chromed wire wheels are in a good condition with only light tarnishing. The front tyres are Universal Sport and date back to 2011, while the rear pair are more recent Lifeline tyres. All have decent tread.

The lamp lenses, window glass, and badges are also all good.

Which means that while there is a little work to do, it is only a little. For example, the area around the boot lid shows some historical touching-in and has started to rust. It’s still in the early stages though, so catching it should be straightforward.

The extent of the red leather used on the seats and door cards is rivalled in its scope only by the walnut veneer, which is truly expansive. Together they create a very special cockpit indeed; Jaguar has always been known for the quality of its interiors and the 240’s is up there with the very best of ‘em.

There are also some nice chromed controls in there plus a comprehensive array of instruments that monitor the Jaguar’s fuel level, battery charge, engine oil pressure, coolant temperature, time, engine and road speeds, and the distance covered.

The driver also has access to a neat row of toggle switches and a period radio. 

The headlining is taut and undamaged, and the overall condition of the cabin we’ve mentioned so far is good to very good, and it shouldn’t need anything more than regular cleaning to maintain it.

As for the carpets, they are a little rumpled but should clean up well although the driver’s mat has worn through in places.

The boot is both huge and nicely presented with a sensible black mat protecting the good paintwork. The boot floor has surface rust on it, and a prudent owner would sort that out before what looks like a cosmetic problem becomes anything more serious.

A little more work will be needed elsewhere: The outer edge of the driver’s seat is worn and split, and there another cut in the nearside edge of the base, so that’ll need some attention; the rear parcel shelf has also degraded past the point of renovation, so you’ll need to budget to retrim that; the nearside sunvisor needs a mirror; the headlining is easing away from the wooden windscreen trim; the central cubbyhole underneath the toggle switches is scruffy; and the driver’s door card needs some attention.

The 240’s 2,483cc, straight-port cylinder head and twin HS6 SU carburettors offers 133bhp at 5,500rpm, enough for sprightly performance on its way to a top speed of 100mph. The automatic gearbox makes for faff-free driving too, and, as you can see in the video, the car starts on the button and revs as it should.

J. Forward Motor Engineers worked on the Jaguar in July 2021 when it freed off the bonnet release cable and brakes, topped up the transmission fluid, and fettled the nearside front antiroll bar linkage.

The coolant hoses were replaced a month later, and there are more invoices from the same firm dating back to 2008. The other invoices on file date back even further, with the oldest being from June 1982.

As for the cosmetics, it would be fair to say that while the engine bay looks solid, it would benefit from being cleaned to enable it to fulfil its obvious potential. 

The underside looks solid too and is well protected by underseal. This is holding up well but, again, a prudent owner would touch it up in the few places where it has come away to maintain the coverage.

The Jaguar doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

But the three previous test certificates, the last of which expired in December 2020, were all free of advisories, which is reassuring. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook, a workshop manual, the vinyl wallet, and a wealth of old invoices.

The Jaguar MKII/240 is, for many people, THE iconic 1960’s sporting saloon. A favourite with cops, robbers, bankers, and rock stars, it’s as classless as it is fun to drive - and it is great fun to drive, being sporty and slidey when you want to hoon, and cosseting and luxurious when you want to waft. 

Capable of fulfilling multiple roles, a well-sorted Jaguar of this era is a joyful thing and one that makes even the shortest journey a genuine pleasure, not least because people will fall over themselves to let you out of junctions and gush how much they admire your car.

So, how much is this one likely to cost? 

Probably less than you think because we think this example, being sold needing some very modest cosmetic fettling to allow it to continue to flourish for the next half-century, is being offered with no reserve, so will sell no matter how derisory the bidding.

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £12,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.