Having grown up with one of these in the family (a 1966), I appreciate them a lot more than many car lovers do. Many times people prefer the less sophisticated Mark II to the S-Type, but these are my favorite Jag saloons. I contacted the seller about this car and what I heard back was pretty interesting. It’s listed for sale here on craigslist and is located in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. The asking price is a very reasonable $4,000.
While the photographs leave a lot to be desired, part of the reason is that the car has been stored on blocks in a garage for a very long time. The seller says they purchased the car in 1981 in Jacksonville, NC and shortly thereafter had the 3.8 engine and automatic transmission replaced with a “built” 4.2 and four speed out of a 1970 E-Type. You can see in these pictures that the body lines look straight and I don’t think it’s ever been in an accident.
Here’s the best I can do to piece together pictures to get a side view. The chrome wire wheels have some rust, and the seller says that the rest of the chrome is somewhat pitted. However, the only rust he mentioned after I emailed back and forth was a 2″ x 2″ patch at the bottom of the driver’s side front fender that “looks troubled.” He theorized that it might be from a previous repair. If that’s the only real rust on this S-Type, that alone would justify the price.
Looking in the trunk, I don’t see any issues there either. Frequently the bottom is rusted out.
Even the wood doesn’t look too bad, and would probably respond well to some sympathetic stripping and refinishing. It’s nice to see a Jaguar dashboard that doesn’t have veneer peeling off like crazy.
The seller also stated that some of the leather upholstery has been replaced, and while the door panels don’t look too great, I’ll bet some leather cleaner and treatment would work wonders on these seats. Of course, the four-speed makes this extra-desirable for me, even if it doesn’t seem to have the optional overdrive!
Can you see yourself in this seat? I could — and I thought long and hard about this one before writing it up for you readers — but I have to pass at the moment. Promise me a ride if one of you buys it, okay?
Dashboard is like the early e types, one of my favs.
Greetings All,
Pat, none of the E-Type EVER had wood veneered dashes.
I had a 1961 series 1 roadster back in 1968 in high school and it had a wood center panel that fitted the engine gauges and toggle switches. Must have been an accessory at the time. I was the third owner.
Nice price, nice car. Hope it finds a good home
Looks like a very easy one to clean and restore as you go. Love these Saloons.
Not too many people would buy an “S” type if they could afford a 3.8 Mk 2 but if you are a bit tight for cash then this would be the one to go for. I believe they are far superior to the MK 2 generally but I think it’s more about the hooded headlights being off putting than anything else as being the reason that people don’t buy them, it was certainly mine back in the day.
Has the car ever moved under its own power via the new manual transmission?
That would be my first question.
It does look cool and a better place to start than most Jag’s. Nice color combo too
A friend at my gym has given up on his 3.8S. Before he bought it, it had been converted to a Ford V8 and then unconverted to an unspecified Jag engine and automatic. He also states the interior was all redone in non-leather. This is a prime example of lots and lots of money being spent and the car is worth little.
He has had problems with the fuel system even though a well known local shop has done the work and he runs non ethanol gas. He hasn’t named a price, but ” just wants to get rid of it.”
Recently there was another running stick shift example with right hand drive. Asking price $2500. The liste example would be a better starting point.
If the rear ended was not upgraded then one has a problem as it has over over over drive all time. If you don’t burn through clutches with air plane type high gears on take offs then one could maybe get 80 in third and fourth low rpms open up on a pretender auto vahn 👀😳
Nice body and interior but should of kept engine and trans original even though four speeds are cool 🤔
I always thought the Jag S-types and Mark II’s were some of the best looking Jag saloons. “It was a technically more sophisticated development of the Mark 2, offering buyers a more luxurious alternative without the size and expense of the Mark X.” (Wikipedia) Very popular cars when I was a young lad working at a petrol service station after school, I saw many come through the pumps back then. I remember driving a couple and they were very luxurious, had decent power and were smooth drivers.
It really is a mystery to me why these cars are so pooh-poohed. To my eyes they are equally handsome to a Mk II, and are mechanically superior. Oh well, that just means they are a bargain waiting for their star to rise.
I’ve made many really bad decisions automobile-wise. Two of my better ones were buying a clean Citroen SM and Jensen Interceptor about fifteen years ago when they were cheap and little-appreciated. Now I could sell them and actually make a decent profit, something notably lacking in my car history. I think these S-types are about where the SM and Interceptor were fifteen years ago.
I think the Mk IIs were considered sportier than the S, which was more of a luxury tourer.
Assuming there’s not too much wrong with it mechanically – outside of the usual Prince of Darkness electrics and corroded hydraulics – and the body is sound, this would be good buying for someone.
I ran across a pair of 3.8 Type S a couple years ago for $2000, the bumpers looked like new, but interior was trashed, and rusty sheet metal. He eventually dropped the price and they disappeared at $800 for both, I was so tempted. This one looks solid, and is very tempting. My wife’s cold kitty.
Looks like Sundym glass.
My absolute favorite Jag Sedan. Never liked the curved rear or funny rear wheel arches of the Mark II. I love it, but realize that it is above my capabilities to get it running right.
Just completing an S Type ground up resto. My favourite Jag sedan. Streets ahead of a MkII & starting to be recognised. The above car having started life as an auto, the Tunnel & Console are wrong for a manual.
Hint of biscuit interior
Nose ~ she is on chrome wires.