We join Sir William Lyons in 1959 at the Earls Court Motor Show, as his company launches the Jaguar Mk II to effusive reviews. The mid-sized sporting saloon was appreciated for its outstanding balance of handling and power. On the heels of the new model came another – the Mk X. The X was a full-size luxury car with no sporting pretensions. While the Mk II was making tracks at Brands Hatch and winning the Australian Touring Car Championship among others, the Mk X was more likely in the hands of ambassadors and CEOs, gliding sedately along European motorways. The gulf between the two cars offered an opportunity, and into this market gap Sir Lyons leapt, introducing the S-Type in 1963. Developed from the Mk II, the S offered Jaguar’s refined independent suspension, a longer body with increased leg room, more responsive steering and improved climate controls. This 1965 Jaguar S-Type, parked in the shadow of a Carolina Coastal rail car, is bid to $8100 here on eBay. If you prefer to put her in your garage before the auction ends, a $25,000 buy-it-now option is available. The car is located in Beaufort, North Carolina and is a Barn Finds Alumni! The seller purchased it after seeing it here on Barn Finds back in 2019.
The S-type was offered with either Jaguar’s 3.4 or 3.8 liter six cylinder; this one was originally a 3.8 paired with an automatic. However, an E-Type 4.2 has been installed in its place, along with a Moss four-speed manual. Aside from the lack of originality, there’s nothing wrong with this swap – the 4.2 is a fine engine, with about 265 hp on tap and a torque rating of 283 lb-ft – a big improvement over the 3.8. And the four-speed only enhances the nascent sporting qualities of the S. The seller notes a few faults, including leaks (part of its British pedigree). But the rear end, hydraulics, brakes and fuel pumps have been rebuilt or replaced in a refresh conducted from 2020-2023. Other than surface rust, the underside is dry and straight. The car runs and drives well.
This car was stored for three decades after its engine swap. The front seat upholstery was replaced by a previous owner; it has aged well and looks appropriate to the car. The seller notes that the gauges and lights work well, with the exception of a lazy turn signal. The wood dash was repaired and revarnished; the headliner is lightly stained. Few makers construct interiors as luxurious as the British. Even the lowly Triumph GT6 has an inviting, Old World feel.
As part of the recent restoration work, this Jag was given a bare-metal repaint in dark blue. While this is a nice car, with a desirable engine upgrade, the S-Type has yet to generate the same fervor as the handy, well-designed Mk II. A nice S still changes hands below the price of a comparable Mk II. That said, very nice manual-shift S-Types now sell in the $25k area, as this example proves. It’s sure great to see that this project has been revived and is back on the road, where it belongs. So, what do you think of this sporty Jaguar saloon? Let’s hope it goes to another Barn Finder!
This is a beautiful Jag. And I like the upgrades. I was trying to figure out why there was a Auto shift indicator on the column but a floor shift. ( Call it one of my Captain Obvious moments) but as Michelle brought out about the conversion it made total sense. ( Man I need another cup of coffee). As far as leaks are concerned, I usually tell people…… Oil leak???? What oil leak???? That’s just sweat dripping from all that horsepower!!!! Nice write Michelle I enjoyed it. And I hope this Jag continues to be enjoyed in the future.
The shift indicator actually is correct for a manual as when you engage the overdrive unit (stalk on the right hand side of the column where the automatics would have the gear selector) the indicator would light up the word “overdrive” to let you know you were now in basically 5th gear. The indicator is the same shell for both automatics and manuals with just a change between it either stating “OVERDRIVE” and “P N D L R”.
It is a nice looking Jaguar which is making me miss mine. Great driving automobiles.
That is the correct way to upgrade a Jag. Class. Not an Impala in a Jag suit.
The Moss box would not have been my choice; depending on the year it could be a non-synchro first gear. A 5 speed manual would have been ideal, and the guy I know is close by in Virginia Beach. Nonetheless, if the stock market wasn’t in the throes of whatever this is, I would be negotiating a purchase with she who must be persuaded.
Had a British friend who always said a Jag that isn’t leaking is broken.
We used to say same thing about radial engines on aircraft.
It has those glorified wind breakers we miss so badly on newer cars. Dropping them was the worst Detroit scheme to save money.
What’s a wind breaker?
I’m guessing wind vent windows.
I had a 3.8S in the early eighties. Imported from England – great exchange rate at the time. I recall that delivered to the dock in Baltimore it was $6,500. Beautiful body – golden sand color – RHD, manual transmission, acres of leather and walnut inside. I remember fooling with unlabeled switches as I was driving it back to Pittsburgh. Flipped one, nothing happened, then about a minute later the engine sputtered. Flipped the switch again – ran fine. Turned out the car had dual gas tanks, I think with dual pumps, and the switch alternated between them. The tanks were located in the rear quarters behind the rear wheels, and one of them had a hole in the bottom, apparently from a rock.
Other than that, the car did not give me much trouble. I drove it two years, then sold it for a little more than I bought it for.
Great memories. Still love Jags in that color.