1966 Jaguar S Type 3.4

The S-type was purchased by the current owner from the company ‘The Splined Hub’ in 2014 where after purchase the car was given some repairs and a minor recommission by the company for the new owner to drive the car and enjoy with their family. The reason for sale is that the owner has come to a natural end to keeping this car, a house move and a change in life circumstances mean the car isn’t being used as much as it deserves to so the choice to hand it over to someone with more time for it has been taken.

The Jag certainly has some road presence and much like the Mk1 and MkII the S-Type is true to the classic Jag styling language fans are familiar with. The overall body is in very good condition with only a few blemishes here and there that really don’t detract from the overall appeal. These areas include the front and rear chrome bumpers which are starting to show some pitting and tarnishing, paint runs/dimples in the front wings. Window surrounds and chrome strips on the sides of the car have some minor dents and the rubbers look to be perished in some areas. The panel gaps around the car are good, tight and uniform however the rear doors seem slightly out, this is the same with the bonnet at the scuttle panel underneath the windscreen. Looking down the length of the long body of the Jag, there are some ripples and dents, and the wheel arches feel uneven to the touch and there is some minor corrosion starting to appear on the wheels. We and the owner have tried to be as honest as possible and critical as to the condition of the car, but overall, this car is certainly a looker and could be a great car to put your own spin on or to build up to concourse condition.

Opening the door and stepping inside the Jag you are met with a sea of red leather, complimented by wooden trim highlighting the dashboard and doors. There is a real sense of luxury in here and shows why Jaguar have been one of the best at doing luxury interiors for years. The seats are believed to be original items and look to have survived quite well, there is some wear and tear, and the driver’s seat is sagging but there are no big rips or areas of the leather that has worn away completely.

The wood trim however is in great condition and is subtle against the red leather but really adds to the theatre of the interior in the Jag. The carpets are in good condition again with some very minor wear and tear but nothing excessive or even to the point where any sections are damaged or stained. The headlining is in great condition too with no sections dropping away or sagging and no rips or stains either. The door cards are again in good condition and complete the interior off nicely when inside, they seem to be slightly off coloured to the rest of the interior being a very slight shade of red off hue, this may be as a result of the seats being treated or they might have been re-trimmed in the past it is not clear.

The dashboard is where the beauty is though, the various switches and dials that sit in front of the driver are Smiths gauges with plenty of information to offer the driver, things are labelled and within reach even when sat relaxed into the driver’s seat. Another bonus in the cabin is the inclusion of a ‘Retro Sounds’ system, a DAB radio system with speakers that brings the Jag into the modern day in regard to sound whilst keeping everything looking period, even the DAB antenna is hidden so as not to draw attention to the system. The steering wheel is the real gem piece in the interior though, a retro centre piece that ties everything in together, the big cat logo looking on as a reminder of what brand you’re driving. Peeking out from behind the wheel is a little screen to show when the gearbox is in overdrive.

The underside of the Jag is in good condition with only some minor surface rust, the frame rails look to be straight and free from any structural rust. The chassis also looks as though it has been treated with underseal to protect it from further degrading.

The new stainless steel exhaust system can be seen underneath the car, made by ‘BELL’ the dual exit pipes give the back end a nice touch and certainly make the car sound its best. All the suspension components underneath the car look to be in good condition also and as well as the rubber parts that help to smooth out the ride.

There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of fluid leaks or corrosion from a previous spillage which should give the new buyer peace of mind that the car has been well taken care of. Indeed, the guys at ‘The Splined Hub’ know their way around classic Jaguars so any areas they have worked on are likely to be in good working order with some longevity in the parts and workings.

Lift the bonnet and that familiar straight six stares back at you nestled in place ready and eager to deliver a smooth, wafty dose of propulsion. The bay itself looks a bit tired but this may well have been a decision taken to retain the originality and character of the car, there certainly doesn’t look like there is much if any structural corrosion damage. As for the engine itself, that looks to be quite healthy and good-looking condition wise. There is no sign of any fluid leaks or seeping, all rubber and electrical wires and pipes look to be fully functional with no splitting or cracking. The major components also look to be in good working order, they may have some surface rust on the outset but this seems to be purely cosmetic.

The Jag comes with an extensive history file with an operating, maintenance and servicing handbook as well as a leather-bound file with lots of additional manuals and information. There are even some promotional materials where the car was likely shown at the Goodwood Revival with business cards from ‘The Splined Hub’ which restored the car. There is a production record trace certificate number too from the Jaguar Heritage trust stating the correct manufacture date and the specification.

The car has had 11 former keepers but has been restored by The Splined Hub on 05/06/2015 being project number 002.

The rest of the invoices are summarised below.

- SNG Barratt Group – Clutch and brake work – 14/07/2009

- Classic Additions – Car cover – 01/06/2015

- Jag shop – Carburettor parts – 18/08/2016

- John Skinner Manufacturing Ltd – Front seat backrest – 11/04/2016

- David Manners Ltd – Carburettor parts – 30/08/2016

- Kingsbridge auto repair & Rescue – MOT, exhaust replaced, repaired handbrake and replaced oil – 21/07/17

This S-Type has been given plenty of love and care during its time with the current owner and its condition today suggest that it has received similar levels of respect and care by other owners in the past. With a company like ‘The Splined Hub’ having given the car a look over back in 2015 it’s no surprise the S-Type has lasted well to today, we’re sure they’d like to see it back should you be close and need anything doing on the Jag. The S-Type is a big car that still holds up to the levels of luxury set in its day, it also commands a great road presence and would look equally at home on the motorways of the UK as it would in the showgrounds. Even after 56 odd years it’s still a great all-rounder and one that we predict, is set to continue to hold its value as with the rest of classic Jaguar range.

We expect to see this lovely S-Type achieve between £12,000 - £16,000.