2010-02-01 23:47:00 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction in '09
www.brightwells.com/3rdparty/orphanspress/classiccars/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 68
Hammer value £1,500
Description Jaguar MkIX Saloon
Registration 1221 HX
Year 1960
Colour Black/Maroon
Engine size 3,781 cc
Chassis No. 7740472W
Engine No. 7656/8

Despite outward appearances, this March 1960 registered MkIX is actually a pretty sound machine although it has not been on the road for around 30 years. The last owner had it from 1996 until 2008 and made various attempts at improving it over that time, though none of them got very far. In 1985 it was fitted with an exchange automatic gearbox and earlier this year the current owner rebuilt the top end of the engine. It certainly started promptly and ran sweetly enough on the occasion of our visit to take these pictures, although the exhaust is somewhat noisy. In fact the car is still said to be capable of being driven and all the forward gears engage well although reverse is more difficult to select.

The car comes with various bills for parts bought over the years, a V5C and also retains an original handbook and sales brochure. Various spares are included such as the rear bumper and the precious chrome windscreen surrounds, front and rear, which are now extremely expensive and hard to get hold of. These grand old saloons are now getting very rare and it would be nice if someone out there had the motivation to get this one back on the road again. Failing that, whisper it, but the engine and the transferable number plate alone are probably worth more than the estimate...