2010-10-07 11:55:48 | SALOON Data writes:

The record was updated:

2007-12-03 22:57:55 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 12/3/07
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll
Current bid $2,247 reserve not met, 3 bids, 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
1961 Jaguar Mk IX, California Car. I believe it has been repainted at one time. Too many projects. Most of the tools are in the driver's door. Engine is free but has not been started in a few years. It will also need a servo. Great car for weddings or just to drive around town. There are not many of these still around.

2010-10-07 06:38:44 | pauls writes:

Car returns to ebay 10/7/10
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-1961-Jaguar-MK-IX-14K-orig-mi-rust-free-ready-go- ...
Opening bid $9,000 reserve not met, no bids yet 6 days left in auction. Car now said to be located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. 14.5k miles.

Sellers description:
1961 Jaguar MK IX. It runs and drives beautifully. Prior to my purchase, a previous owner offered this Jaguar for sale in non-running condition. He brought to the east coast from California but never did anything with it. It was said to have been parked for 5 to 10 years.

I personally viewed the car in storage then. I was then considering a different Jaguar then offered by the same seller. Eventually, that owner moved away and the Mk IX became available, so I bought it.

Upon my purchase, I took it to Lippincott’s Jaguar restoration & service in Sinking Spring Pa. The work was completed last month. Lippencott’s contemplated the Jaguar not been driven for closer to 20 or 30 years but had been stored indoors for the entire period. The odometer shows 14K. The tires were OEM Dunlops, all five, original to the car since new, all holding air. Per Lippincotts, those Dunlops were discontinued in 1965, hence their assessment. That makes the car and its mileage wonderfully original and well kept. I’ve since replaced the tires but keep the originals for prosperity. They’re old and dry-rotted but help document the car.

It is definitely a California car per the vin tag. There is zero rust. I mean zero. Never had it, never will. Options include what appears to be dealer installed air conditioning. There is an air handler in the trunk. The A/C does not work but the compressor is free. Car also has a sunroof, but I've not opened it.

This was the last year for the Mk IX, as the MK X was already out. Few MK IX were sold that year. I've written and am waiting to find out about it's original California owner.

This car has 4 wheel disc brakes system which were entirely over-hauled. This includes 4 new calipers, pads, lines, servo, etc. The Lippencott's service receipt says:

PARTS: front brake pads, 2 carburetor rebuild kits, 2 bridge pipes, 2 facet fuel pumps & filters, 2 inline fuel filters, R front brake hose, L front brake hose, rear brake hoses, oil filter, 9 qts. Castrol 20/50 oil, 2 keys cut to code, brake power unit, 4 rear brake piston/cyl., 4 rear brake pads, l rear stainless bridge pipe, 3 1/2’ hose, 15 mini-clamps, on-off switch, thermostat 160 deg., thermostat gasket, 12V battery, 1 quart trans fluid, 1 quart brake fluid, 2 sump gaskets, brake light switch, bulb, rear brake liner, 1 set of points, 6 NGK spark plugs, 2 battery ends.

SERVICE: After car’s arrival Removed the spark pugs, -turned engine over, oil pressure came up, checked the compression, OK, 130 in 5 cylinders, 110 in 1, Removed the carbs, filthy, disassembled and cleaned, rebuilt, reassembled and installed, Installed a filter in the fuel filter bowl, placed the front end on jacks, removed the wheels and tires, removed the front brake hoses, the brake piston/cylinders, removed the distributor, sandblasted, labor July 23-Aug 12, 55 1/4 hours. 4 front brake pistons/cylinders resleeved and rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics, painted the brake vaccum tank, removed 2 rear brake calipers, cleaned the unit, removed the distributor, cleaned, installed a new set of points, installed the distributor & set timing by eye. Installed make shift fuel tank, worked on choke, got car running, rust & dirt came out of mufflers, car charging, power steering working, moved car onto the lift, removed the plugs on the fuel tanks, full of rust & dirt, removed old fuel pumps (no good), installed 2 new fuel pumps & their filters, installed new rear brake line, changed the oil & filter, removed and replaced right rear inboard brake pistons & cylinders, removed & disassembled the brake M/C –it has already been rebuilt, reassembled & installed, installed the brake vacuum tank, brake power unit & the 3 other new rear brake pistons/cylinders, heated the hand brake unit & got it working, installed the L rear bridge pipes and rear brake pads, the 2 rear brake lines were smashed and rusty, replaced both of them, installed the left front shock which was just hanging, lowered the right torsion bar & jacked up the left rear torsion bar to balance the car. Installed the right rear bridge pipe, blew out both fuel tanks trying to remove rust & dirt, checked the differential fluid –full, installed left front brake caliper that had been removed to check, installed 2 front brake hoses, made & installed a brake line that goes from the brake hose to the caliper, installed rebuilt & resleeved piston/cylinder in front calipers, installed brake lines, bled front & rear brake system, put 1 gal. Gas in left tanke, leaked, pumped gas out of tank, put in 1 gal. Gas in right tank, ran & drove car in parking lot, engine got hot, coolant bubbled, idler seems to quiet was car gets warm, removed & cleaned brake resevoir bottle which was clogged prior to bleeding brakes, overheating due to wrong thermostat, replaced it with correct style 160 deg. stat, spent more time adjusting carbs, installed an on/off switch n choke, ran a new brake light switch, installed the air cleaner, taighted damper, it was loose, put hub caps and skirts in place, drove car again.

Thereafter I had both fuel tanks pulled, sand-blasted from the inside, repaired, pressure tested, painted and reinstalled, with the proper fuel hoses replaced.

The result is a wonderfully driving car. I’ve put about 100 miles or more on it in the past few weeks with zero issues. The engine sounds great, does not smoke and has plenty of power. Its a 3 speed borg warner automatic, so no issues there either. I recently showed it and drove it through a local car cruise. I was surprised by the number of folks who took photographs. It was tops of the show. This car is ready to go. Drive it home it you'd like.

The exterior looks wonderful but appears to be an older repaint. It is very hard to tell at least on the black. There is some ever slight cracking on the black at the top of the front fender but you have to get right on top if it to see. The majority of the chrome is excellent. The chrome surround for the front window is included but not attached. I’m told reattachment is sort of a pain. I also have the wheel trim rings, but I’m not sure how they attach. Basically, what you see in the photographs is how it looks.

The red leather interior is soft & supple but somewhat faded. The front driver’s seat has a tear and some wear that could be repaired. The seat foam is fine. The front carpet on the driver’s side also has some wear, but the floor padding underneath is good. The front passenger and rear seats are fine. I have the tool box cover that belongs on the driver’s door but I am missing the fittings to attach it. The rear vent window latches are missing their screws and the passenger side sun visor is torn. The wood, especially on the dash, has a bubbling or cracked surface. I can’t tell if this condition resulted from the California sun or whether someone did bad job trying to refinish the dash. The factory radio does not work. The wool headliner is fair as there is a small tear near the rear window which may be repairable. All original tools are included. I do not have an owner’s manual. Above the rear "carpet" is actually a pillow for your passengers feet. The veneer on the tea tables is fine.

Old car price guide lists #3 car condition as: VERY GOOD: Completely operable original or "older restoration" showing wear. Also, a good amateur restoration, all presentable and serviceable inside and out. Plus, combinations of well-done restoration and good operable components; or a partially restored car with all parts necessary to complete it and/or valuable NOS parts. This is a "20-footer." That is, from 20 feet away it may look perfect. But as we approach it, we begin to notice that the paint may be getting a little thin in spots from frequent washing and polishing. Looking inside we might detect some wear on the driver¹s seat, foot pedals, and carpeting. The chrome trim, while still quite presentable, may have lost the sharp, mirror-like reflective quality it had when new. All systems and equipment are in good operating order. In general, most of the vehicles seen at car shows are No. 3s. This is probably accurate for this car, but it is probably much better than a 20 footer. I'd say closer to 5 or 10 feet.

I've tried to describe the car accurately. I'm not a Jaguar expert. I got into this car because my dad had one just like it when I was a kid. I'd like to keep the car but personal circumstances encourage its sale.