1967 Jaguar S-Type

‘SRC 454’ is a 3.4-litre, manual-with-overdrive S Type that’s finished in British Racing Green with a cream leather interior.

It’s got the desirable option of power-steering too, plus a Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, the full book pack and tool kit, and one of the nicest walnut dashboards we can remember seeing.

It’s a fabulous package and one that is worth exploring if you’ve ever hankered for a quintessentially British sporting saloon that blends Old Money civility and bar-room brawler better than just about anything else. 
 

The Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate that’s in the history file shows the S Type was originally finished in Opalescent Gold Sand.

However, it is now finished in the classic colour scheme of British Racing Green, a colour we think was first applied to it back in the late nineties.

And it seems like they did a good job of it because even now, at least a quarter of a century later, the doors still fit especially well, and the overall fit ‘n’ finish is still impressive.

The paintwork is excellent too, and it’s discreet dark colour provides the perfect foil for the (very good) chromework, which shines brightly against the British Racing Green coachwork.

Of course, this high-end bling includes the wire wheels, which are in an excellent condition. Free of rust and other significant blemishes, they are also fitted with a matching set of 205/75R15 BF Goodrich ‘Lifesaver A/W’ whitewall tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The lamp lenses are all good too, as is the window glazing and the majority of the badges. It also wears some nice pressed-aluminium numberplates, whose silver and black finish works very well with the car’s iconic style.

As for problems, the driver’s door catch doesn’t work as it should, and pops open now and then. You might be tempted to chalk that up to character, but you really shouldn’t.

Less serious is a crack in the paint at the base of the nearside ‘B’ pillar, a heavily patinated radiator badge, a slightly rusty front numberplate plinth, and a flaking offside front overrider.
 

The Mota-Lita steering wheel, which is almost obligatory on cars like this, is in fine fettle. Wood-rimmed and every bit as lovely to handle as it is to look at, it is joined by a simple white-on-black gearknob in providing the driver with an environment that’s as tactile as it is lovely to look at.

But then even these are eclipsed by the sheer quantity and quality of the walnut used to construct the dashboard behind them. Supremely glossy and extending to the top of the dashboard and across the top of all four doors, it is in a fantastic condition and needs nothing other than continued love and the odd rub over with some decent wood polish.

The dashboard also hosts a full suite of Smiths instruments, which work in conjunction with the long line of toggle switches to give the driver the WWII airplane-like environment so many of them would have been familiar with.  

But, what would have come as a welcome surprise is the luxury the combination of chrome, wood, and leather imbues the S Type with, something that was, you’ll recall, the car’s raison d'être.

The seats, which include semi-bench front seats and a full-width rear, are plump and wide and wonderful. Clearly recovered and, we’d guess, restuffed in the car’s recent past, the seller also had the driver’s seat frame stripped down and repaired before having it all carefully put back together. "When I bought it you were looking at the sky, rather than the road!"

The result is a seamless repair but then the quality of the trimming overall is beyond reproach – as is the subsequent curation because they’re still look practically new with only the very gentlest of creases troubling their surface – and we really do mean ‘gentlest’.

Take a look for yourselves and then close your eyes; can you hear the sigh as you sink gently into them, too?

The door cards are trimmed with leather to the same high standard as the seats, and they too have been piped in green to pick up the colour of the exterior. As have the carpets, which are green on green and still in a virtually unmarked condition.

Aside from the Smiths instruments, other brand names abound, like the period-correct Pye ‘Consort’ radio, the Securon seatbelts, and the Lucas rearview mirror.

The clock is working too, which isn’t something that can be taken for granted on the model. Oh, and speaking of things that can’t be taken for granted, the tool kit is also complete – and when you learn they can fetch up to £1,500 all by themselves, you’ll appreciate that’s worth having.

It’s stored in the boot, which is as nicely trimmed and presented as everything else. Easily big enough to carry the luggage of four people, it also manages to host a full-size spare wheel and tyre – and lifting that wheel out reveals only solid and well-painted metal underneath too; this is a car whose beauty is more than skin deep.

Which means the flaws we have spotted are minor. Like a few stains in the headlining, plus a bit that’s drooping above the parcelshelf. 

The sun visors need attention too, but their design is so wonderfully ornate and so unusual that it would be worth finding a car trimmer who can restore them to their former glory.

The door seals are also tatty but new ones are in a box and just need fitting; as we’ll mention later, the seller has run out of both space and time, so while he’s bought the bits you need, you’ll have to supply the elbow grease. 

Finally, there are a few very light marks to the driver’s door card and a tiny amount of rust on the bottom of the offside rear door. 
 

The seller bought the S Type from us back in March 2024, and the auction listing he relied upon mentioned that Sportsclassics UK of Sheffield, the chaps who restored the Jaguar prior to him buying it, said that this very car had the best and most original underside they’d ever seen, pointing out that the jacking points, crows’ feet, and chassis drain channels were all solid and in good order.

They also pointed out that the rear torsion arm plates had been replaced but that, in their opinion, the work had been done to a good standard and had used the right panels and parts. 

It had been recently recommissioned just prior to him buying too, and this work comprised a full service that included new sparkplugs in addition to a change of engine oil and filter. 

The brakes were also refurbished, a job that included replacing the brake and handbrake pads. They also fitted new large and small radius bushes, ball joints, subframe ‘Vee’ mounts, steering column bushes, and universal joints. 

The carburettors were also serviced and tuned. All-in, the final bill topped £2,500.

More recent work includes a service by Morgan Motor Services in April 2024. Carried out shortly after the owner bought the car, this came to almost £400 but gave him enormous reassurance that he hadn’t bought a duff ‘un.

It starts, quite literally, on the button and while the rev counter takes a beat to catch up, once it does all is good with a rock-steady 750rpm idle. The oil pressure gauge shows a healthy reading too, and the engine revs freely when provoked.

Lifting the bonnet reveals an engine that makes all of the right noises and none of the wrong, but then this is a very nicely fettled and presented engine, with your eye being drawn first to an imposing brass radiator. 

Then you notice  the engine block, which is nicely painted in an attractive aqua colour. There’s a new battery too, plus evidence of recent servicing by way of clean filters.

As for work to do, while the indicators and fog lights work, the rest of the exterior lighting doesn’t, so you’ll need to get them sorted out pronto.

You could profitably dig out your wire brush and a can of underseal too; while the underside is in good order overall, some of the protection is flaking off, so it would be prudent to get it replaced and any surface corrosion treated.
 

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…

Having said all that, the last MoT only ran out in February of this year and it, like every one since 2014, was issued with no advisories, so getting a new one might not be too much of a struggle.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for a change of colour, and the Jaguar comes with two sets of keys, a Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, the Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook, a booklet of Periodic Maintenance Vouchers, a lubrication chart, and a guide to the Sales & Service Facilities in the United Kingdom.

The history file also includes a workshop manual, a parts catalogue, and a couple of recent invoices.
 

Only being sold because “I've got too many cars and I’m running out of space!” (sound familiar?), he’s taken it to a few local classic car shows where it was so well received it even ended up being photographed for an enthusiasts’ club magazine.  

But then everyone loves these old Jags, something you’ll appreciate every single time you drive it as other road users fall over themselves to let you out of junctions and chat at petrol stations.

And yet, despite this they aren’t at all expensive.

This one, for example, stunning as it is, only has an estimate of between £13,000 and £18,000 – but as he’s desperate for the space, he’s also happy to offer it for auction with no reserve in the hope that you lot will play nicely.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.