We’ve featured a few listings now from the seller in Oregon who clearly either bought or inherited a forgotten workshop full of derelict classics, and he’s posted a new batch of finds with a series of Jaguar saloons. The background photos seemingly confirm he has years’ worth of cars and parts to go through, and the latest assortment includes a 1961 Mark II sedan; a 1956 Mark I; and a right-hand drive 1967 420. All of them are projects and just the 420 comes with an engine. Find the assortment of British classics here on craigslist in Aloha, Oregon.
The 420 is my favorite, as it’s clearly the one with the best story given it is an overseas market car with a Webasto-style sunroof and the RHD steering configuration. It also looks pretty slick in red with the wire wheels poking out from beneath the fenders. The seller confirms that he does not know the mechanical health of this Jaguar and that it’s equipped with an automatic transmission. It looks fairly solid but I also spy some rust poking through the bottom edge of the left-side rear lower fender.
The interior is in decent shape, and while it is by no means perfect, it is complete. I would hate to have to track down a RHD dashboard if this one turns out to be cracked! In a way, I have some empathy for the seller; on a much smaller scale, I bought out a stash of NOS Peugeot parts last year and quickly sold enough to record a decent profit and feel satisfied with my investment. However, I now still have three bookcases full of miscellaneous Peugeot parts, several gas tanks, and a few body panels that no one wants to pay to ship. I wonder if the seller has also crossed that threshold wherein the desirable cars were sold off but now he’s left with the scraps – which is by no means a small number of vehicles.
The MK1 is described as being rust-free and fairly straight despite looking rough in the photos. The seller is asking $2,000 for this car and $3,000 for the MKII. He’s willing to throw in a 3.4L engine and automatic transmission for an additional $500 if you want to have a motor to go one of these stately projects. The 420 is still where it’s at for me, as the seller is asking just $1,000 for that one and it appears to be the most complete, even if it’s not the most desirable vintage Jaguar model. It looks like there is plenty more squirrel away, so we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the next installment. Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find.
I like the Mk. 2. It would probably be a restomod if I took it on as finding/rebuilding the vintage Jag parts would break my bank. But with a modern drivetrain/brakes/etc. it would have looks and reliability.
Fortunately, I can’t be much further away from Oregon and still be in the continental US.
Only problem with a resto-mod is gettin stuff to fit. Waaay back when, John’s cars offered a 289 kit for the Mk1/2 but discontinued it due to fitment issues. Now they offer a GM V6 kit. A direct fit is a 215 Buick since its basically the same engine as Daimler used in their version V8 Mk2. In any case, think small.
Brakes – nothing else will fit/work that you won’t spend as much if not more to just fix the stock units which are plenty adequate and very reliable. Possible “upgrade” swaps are XJ6 rack, uprating the front uprights from a S1 XJ6 for better front units (more pistons) and with some finagling XJ40 rear brakes. I have heard some people having success with Lincoln Versailles rear disc/caliper conversions but its a DIY process as nothing is made. Other similar width units are late 70’s Granada/Monarch (Ford 8″) then you can do a bolt on disc brake conversion.
With the exception of the DG250 autobox, the overall drivetrain is quite robust in these cars (John’s also offers a “quarter-breed” kit that lets you install a 700R4 behind the Jag 6).
30 years ago I bought a lot of 4 Mk2’s for $500 and one of them had a 289 in it. Still wish I’d kept that one but it didn’t have a title.
JagManBill,
If I remember correctly, the 2.5 Litre Daimler V8 was a small “hemi head” V8 of Daimler’s own design. They were also in the Daimler SP250 drophead. That engine was sort of a smaller version of the larger 4.5 Litre hemi V8 used in their larger Majestic saloons.
And yes, I did have in my shop a MK2 with the 3500 [215] V8 from Rover, except that the owner had to have a bulge in the hood for the twin SU sidedraft carbs nestled in the center of the engine.
my bad – it was the Rover I was thinking about and not the 2.5 Daimler. As an aside, wasn’t the 2.8 in the TR8 a Daimler derivative?