2021-07-08 12:43:50 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 7/21
themarket.co.uk/en/listings/jaguar/340/f989aaba-831a-4894-92e8-eb0febe538ae

Auction description:
1968 JAGUAR 340
Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Odometer Reading: 102000
Chassis Number: 1J50842DN
Engine: 3442
Gearbox: Manual O/D
Steering position: RHD
Colour: Green
Interior: Tan

The Vehicle
We are pleased to be offering for sale a rare Jaguar 340. Presented in British Racing Green, what else, and paired with contrasting cinnamon leather interior.

Our seller acquired the Jag at auction way back in 2012 and during his ownership has spent a considerable amount restoring the car to its former glory, sympathetically upgrading where he sought fit.

One of the more worthwhile additions was fitting of power steering in 2016, which makes the car so much more usable on a daily basis.

The car is reluctantly offered for sale as our seller now finds operating a three pedal car too difficult, so something with an automatic gearbox will replace it. We bet it will be another Jaguar.

How can we be so sure? Well at the time of writing this, our seller was attending the Summer Jaguar Festival at Bicester Heritage, no doubt looking for KMV’s replacement!

He will however retain the fond memories of trips to Normandy and being a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, the outings to the Revival.

On the Outside
Not long after purchasing the car, our seller had the left and right front wheel arches replaced and a new front valance fitted.

2015 saw the front end of the car repainted too and in 2016 the boot lid skin was repaired.

Our inspection of the car does reveal some imperfections. We note some areas of micro blistering to the bonnet, as well as some scratches. There is also a stain from what we suspect is bird lime.

Whilst 1960s car were not renowned for their tight body panel gaps, we do note that several of the doors do not fit flush on their lower back edges.

The driver’s door also has a rust bubble and there is a little paint distortion above the off-side headlight, possibly the early signs of rust.

There are stone chips in places, the most noticeable being on the front edge of the roof near to the A-post and by the headlights.

We can spot signs of overspray on the scuttle vent and on the front edge of some of the door rubbers.

The chrome is mostly in fine order, though we do note the boot handle is pitted.

The wire wheels are a lovely period touch and are in decent condition. Our seller had four Dunlop SP Sport tyres fitted in 2015. As we always like to point out, matching quality tyres are a sure sign of careful and considered classic car ownership.

On the Inside
By the time our 340 rolled down the production line, cost cutting measures extended to the seat coverings. Gone was leather, to be replaced by some man-made material.

Never fear, as our caring seller had the interior retrimmed in 2015 and what an absolute delight it is. The cinnamon leather is both soft and yielding and smells divine. We complement the trimmers on an excellent job. They also replaced the headlining.

The door cards tone in nicely, though we do notice that the nearside rear card is starting to come adrift slightly.

As was once the way, the Jaguar boasts plenty of wood trim for the full gentleman’s club effect. The dash top is a tad distorted.

Delicate controls are the order of the day with the spindly steering wheel far removed from today’s chunky offerings.

Falling easily to hand is the gear stick, and above a row of ancillary gauges and switches. So much nicer that a modern touchscreen and let’s face it, easier to use too.

The Jaguar has been fitted with rear seat belts at some stage, a sensible addition.

We must mention that the driver’s side sun visor is sagging, there is a rather crude hole cut under the dash and we have failed to get the interior lights to operate. It may just be us!

The boot houses a spare wheel, bought by our seller to match the road wheels. We might be tempted to redo boot area’s paint as it is looking somewhat jaded.

Underneath
Of most interest here, we suspect, will be the recent engine work carried out by Century Classics. So, what have they just done? Well, a bottom engine rebuild to include new oil pump, main and big end bearings. Timing chain and tensioner done, new front rear crankshaft oil seals and new engine mounts fitted.

The engine now runs with good oil pressure and our seller says it drives well with plenty of power.

The engine compartment itself is a crowded one but presents well and all the signs are there of careful maintenance.

We note signs of surface rust in places, and we would be inclined to get the car up on a ramp at the earliest opportunity, clean and prep the area before applying a liberal coat of quality underseal. Prevention is undoubtedly better than cure.

We note that the rear arches are a little loose and there are early signs of corrosion creeping in.

History Highlights
Our conscientious seller has retained old invoices and MoTs from his extended ownership. This makes for interesting reading and so comprehensive is the work carried out, that this should give some reassurance to any potential new buyer.

Jobs done include:
Recent engine works as already mentioned
Spax adjustable shock absorbers all round
New door seals
Uprated front and rear springs and uprated anti-roll bar
New front and rear screens seals
Hi-torque starter motor
Reinforced hose kit fitted
New plug leads
New exhaust manifolds fitted
Stainless steel exhaust
Carburettors rebuilt
CMC rack and pinion steering fitted
Radiator reconditioned

The current MoT is valid until March 2022 and from the DVLA’s records we can see that the car has covered around 11,000 miles in the last 10 years.