• Seller: James H ouchen
• Location: Statesville, North Carolina
• Mileage: 80,384 Shown
• Chassis #: P1B79262BW
• Title Status: Missing
• Engine: 3.8-liter Inline-6
• Transmission: Automatic

Jaguar is best known for its sports cars, which blend performance with luxury. Models like the XK120 and E-Type command significant prices these days. They are impressive machines to drive, but not everyone wants a two-seat sports car or to spend a small fortune buying an E-Type. So, why not buy this 1966 Jaguar 3.8S instead? The same 3.8-liter inline-six powers it but has seating for four and is being offered as a no-reserve auction!

This is a big project and will need interior and mechanical work, at the very least. The seller purchased it as a project about a year ago with plans to restore it, but they’ve realized it’s more than they can take on. Thankfully, the body is solid and straight, with what appears to be its original paint. The engine is out of the car and needs a rebuild, but we will get to that momentarily. The seller believes all the significant components, including the glass and original chrome work, are present.

The S-Type featured the same level of luxury as the E-Type, if not more. The seats are covered in leather, and the dash features natural wood. Unfortunately, this car’s leather is dried out, and much of the wood will need to be restored. An upholstery shop with experience reviving old leather might be able to save some of the original upholstery and replace what can’t be, but kits are available to replace it. A few companies specialize in refinishing wood dashes and do beautiful work, but if you are handy at woodworking, you might be able to refinish the dash yourself and save some money.

The XK inline-six is a fantastic engine. It is wonderfully smooth and produces healthy amounts of power. The S-Type received a slightly detuned version of the engine, so it didn’t make as much power as the version used in the E-Type, but it was still good for 220 horsepower and 240-foot pounds of torque. The engine is currently out of the car and will need a complete rebuild, as it is presently seized up. The seller believes the pistons are stuck to the cylinder walls. They found no signs of cracking in the block, so a rebuild should be possible, but note that the cylinders are 0.020″ oversized. As long as the block is sound, it can be bored up to 0.040″ over or re-sleeved, and new piston sets are available in various sizes and either 8:1 or 9:1 compression ratio. All the removed engine parts come with it, including the cylinder head.

This car’s engine was paired with the automatic transmission, which might not be the most fun option, but not everyone wants or needs a manual transmission. The seller states that the shifter moves from Park into neutral as it should, but since it’s out of the car, they can’t confirm whether it works or will need a rebuild as well. Transmission rebuild kits are available if needed, but hopefully, all it will need is to be resealed. When new, journalists praised the S-Type for its blend of comfort, performance, and superb handling. Much of its handling prowess comes from using the same independent rear-end design as the E-Type. This car rolls easily, but the lack of brake fluid means the seller hasn’t been able to test the brakes.

While it isn’t an E-Type, the 3.8S offers a surprisingly similar experience, especially considering it can comfortably accommodate four adults. Few classic cars can function as your family hauler, grand tourer, and canyon carver like the 3.8S can. Getting this one ready for all those tasks will take work, but you’ll have a capable classic in the end. We would love to see this one back on the road wearing its original paint, but would you leave the outside as is or treat it to a fresh coat of paint?

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