1959 Jaguar Mark 1

Our example was first registered in March 1959 in the Leeds area bearing the registration number 9708NW. The chassis number reveals it to be a factory right hand drive car and the GBN gearbox number prefix confirms it as a manual with overdrive. Little is known of the car’s first owner, but they were thought to have kept the car until 1970, covering around 50,000 miles in that period. A Mr Troman of New Malden acquired the MKI in 1970 and used it for the next three years, adding around 11,000 miles to that total. On the arrival of another car, Mr Troman stored the Jaguar in his garage………. until 1995!

The next, and third, owner recommissioned the Jaguar for road use and kept it until 2010. By now the mileage was sitting at around 73,000. The third owner sold the car to a dealer in 2010 who subsequently sold it to its fourth keeper later that year. The fourth custodian reportedly hired out the Jaguar for film and TV work. In September of 2011 the car was bought via online auction by a Duncan Rowland having now covered 75,500 miles. With Duncan’s sad passing the MKI is now being sold by his widow.

The later MKII Jaguars are most probably best-known thanks, primarily, to Colin Dexter and his literary creation Endeavour Morse. To the casual observer, however, the two models are hard to differentiate especially in our car’s late MKI production guise. That’s no bad thing, of course, with both iterations being totems of British sporting saloons of the late 1950’s and 1960’s.

This example presents in classic British Racing Green livery which is thought to be its factory original paintwork and, if so, survives in surprisingly good order. As you might expect, of course, there are some age-related battle scars in evidence. These manifest themselves as areas of paint wear, some paint chipping, minor oxidisation of the finish and some surface swirls. Despite this a good level of shine can still be achieved and no notable dents or dings are evident.

The generous amounts of chrome adorning the MKI are in good shape, too, with further improvement likely possible with some professional detailing attention. The front end is especially chrome-laden thanks to the large bumper, elliptical grill, majestic leaper, vents covers and headlight surrounds.

The 15-inch steel wheels are painted in British Racing Green and are finished with original chromed and embossed hub caps. These, again, appear deeply chromed but could benefit from an additional buff if deemed necessary. The wheels are shod with a matching set of Federal, period-style tyres in a 185/80 configuration. 

The car’s cabin is an object lesson in Jaguar’s pre-eminence in melding the sporting with the luxurious. Its levels of much sought-after originality are matched only by its innate charm. A mixture of original Suede Green leather and copious amounts of re-lacquered walnut veneer predominates. The well-padded front seats are stitched into padded box pleated central panels with smooth, leather bolsters. In places the age-related patina has progressed into splits in the leather. The rear bench is identically trimmed and appears to have been more lightly used than the front seats. A fold down armrest is fitted as are C panel mounted courtesy lights. 

The carpets are finished in contrasting green and the section covering the transmission tunnel seems to be faded. Door cards are finished in matching green leather, capped with walnut veneer accents, and fitted with chromed door furniture and arm rests. 

The dashboard seems to encapsulate the Jaguar’s sporting heritage and would have given its contemporary competitors something to worry about. The headline acts are the big, white on black Smiths speedometer and tachometer. Supplemental, smaller gauges measure volts, fuel level, water temperature and oil pressure. An original four spoke steering wheel is fitted complete with Jaguar head boss. Some useful, less obvious, enhancements made by Duncan are a bespoke DAB radio / CD player with speakers hidden behind period grills and an electronic adaptation of the original clock. 

The generous boot is finished with a green carpet to protect the body-coloured painted floor. A full-sized steel spare wheel is housed under the floor. The original, lidded Jaguar tool kit is located in the centre of the spare wheel and appears to be period correct and very nearly complete.

The original mechanical specification of the 2.4 Litre delivered a winning combination of performance and economy. The reduced stroke (76.5mm from 106mm) version of the XK straight six engine was originally rated at 112bhp with peak torque of 140Ib-ft from a mere 2,000 rpm. That was sufficient for a 100mph plus top speed and a 14-second 0-60mph time which was highly competitive at the time. Our example, again, has benefitted from some worthwhile modifications it its current ownership. A straight port cylinder head, cams, and twin SU carburettors (instead of the standard Solex items) from a Jaguar 240 have been fitted to increase power and tractability. The fitment of electronic ignition and an alternator conversion were also undertaken by Duncan. Additionally, the fitment of rack and pinion power steering has rendered the MKI a more practical and enjoyable prospect for 2024. 

The under-bonnet presentation of our example is tidy and highly original looking. The requisite data plates are present and correct, and the inner panels still wear some original, factory preservative. The underside of the car looks straight and clean. Duncan replaced the exhaust system, reinstated the jacking points, fitted a new cross member and crows-feet panels.

The MKI hasn’t been used for some time due to the family circumstances. As such, some degree of recommissioning, or certainly diligent checking, will be required.

There’s plenty of useful and informative paperwork included with the MKI. The current V5 registration document is present. This categorises the car as a Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. A number of earlier MoTs in hard copy are on hand.

Numerous invoices are included, detailing work undertaken, and parts procured for the MKI at various points during its history. Perhaps most interesting, however, are a number of documents carefully detailing the car’s history and painstaking maintenance since around 1995. Fascinating!

As already alluded to, the MKI Jaguar has previously been somewhat of a Cinderella car thanks to some limelight hogging close relatives. It seems that the MKI shall go to the ball, however, as attention is starting to turn to this once less sports saloon. This surely makes the MKI cars an interesting investment, currently, as well as a fine British classic car to use and enjoy using.

Our example doubles down on that already enticing proposition by being a hard-to-find light, rolling project car. Much worthwhile and valuable work has already been done, leaving the new owner to just gild the lily if and how they see fit with the potential to easily add additional value. As such this is an ownership opportunity that should demand your attention and bids.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Harrow, North London. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.