Originally finished in Imperial Maroon, the car reportedly had been repainted in British Racing Green when it was purchased by the seller in 1975, and it was subsequently returned to the factory color in 1997 as part of the body-off refurbishment, during which the trim was rechromed. Exterior features include a tan soft top and frame, brightwork including wrap-around bumpers and dual exhaust exits, and Lucas headlights. The seller notes that the paint now exhibits areas of crazing…
Originally finished in Imperial Maroon, the car reportedly had been repainted in British Racing Green when it was purchased by the seller in 1975, and it was subsequently returned to the factory color in 1997 as part of the body-off refurbishment, during which the trim was rechromed. Exterior features include a tan soft top and frame, brightwork including wrap-around bumpers and dual exhaust exits, and Lucas headlights. The seller notes that the paint now exhibits areas of crazing and cracking, close-up photos of which are provided in the gallery below.
Chrome-finished 16” wire wheels with two-eared knock-off hubs are wrapped in Coker Classic whitewall tires that were installed in 2013. Disc brakes are fitted at all four corners. The inner tie rods and rack mounts reportedly were replaced in 2008, and the brake master cylinder was refurbished in 2013.
The interior has been reupholstered in biscuit leather over replacement tan carpeting. The seller notes some areas of wear in the carpeting, discoloration on the transmission-tunnel covering on the passenger side, and that the passenger-side window sticks intermittently.
A black four-spoke steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer displays just over 56k miles, approximately 5k of which have been added over the past 46 years. The seller notes that the fuel gauge requires recalibration, the windshield-washer vacuum hose is not attached, and the automatic choke was rewired to a manual switch.
The 3.8-liter DOHC inline-six produced 220 horsepower when new and is equipped with dual SU carburetors that reportedly were rebuilt in 2020. Additional servicing and modifications include a cooling-system refurbishment in 2013, a replacement gear-reduction starter, a constant-pressure fuel pump, an electronic distributor, and a 12-volt negative-ground conversion. The removed starter is included in the sale.
Block stamping VA1885-9 shown above matches the number indicated on the accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate. The seller notes that the cylinder head was replaced under prior ownership with a B-type head; a photo of stamping number KE5006-8 is pictured in the gallery.
Power is routed to the rear wheels via a Getrag five-speed manual transmission sourced from Guy Broad Parts of Coventry, England and installed in 1998. The seller notes that the front suspension and steering equipment exhibit areas of missing paint and corrosion. The exhaust system was replaced in 2008. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery.
The removed four-speed manual transmission is equipped with a Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive, and it was refurbished by Vintage Jag Works of Blackfoot, Idaho in 2019. Stamping JLS46104JS matches the number listed on the JHT certificate.
A Shipping Advice Note dated July 5, 1960 shows the car being shipped from Avonmouth, England to Jaguar Cars of New York.
The Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate lists factory-equipped colors, component serial numbers, and production dates. Other sources document that this car is one of only 264 Drop Head Coupes equipped with the non-S 3.8-liter engine.
A cold-start video is provided above, and walk-around footage is presented below.