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Registration No: RLO 378E
Chassis No: 1D52760BW
MOT: Exempt
Initially developed as Jaguar's replacement for the chassis constructed MkIX and given the in-house codename "Zenith", the Jaguar Mark X (Ten) was the British manufacturer's top-of-the-range saloon car throughout the 1960s. The large and luxurious MkX was primarily aimed at the North American market, with the company hoping that the car would appeal to heads of state, diplomats and film stars. Introduced in the same year as Jaguar's iconic E-Type, the MkX impressed with its technical specification and innovations. Unlike its predecessors, the car featured integrated unitary bodywork, the largest car constructed this way in the UK at the time, as well as independent rear suspension which was completely unheard of on early 1960s British luxury cars. Initally fitted with the same 3.8-litre, triple carburettor XK engine with straight port cylinder head as fitted to the E-Type, it gave Jaguar's flagship a top speed of 120 mph and capable handling at less than half the price of the contemporary Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. The Mark X introduced a new slightly forward-leaning nose design for Jaguar saloons, with its four headlamps set into rounded front fenders and a vaned grille. This front-end style was used on many of the manufacturer's later cars, forging Jaguar’s look for almost half a century. In 1964, in line with the E-Type, the MkX's power unit would be upgraded with a 4.2 Litre XK unit in place of the 3.8 Litre which could be coupled to either an updated Borg Warner automatic transmission (a Type 8 rather than a DG) or the same full syncromesh gearbox as its Sports Car sister. Only in production for two years, the 4.2 Litre MkX was replaced by the 420G in 1967, and remains the rarest MkX with only 5,137 built.
‘RLO 378E’ was first registered by University Motors Ltd of Richmond on 17th May 1967 and then sold to Flaskett Ltd of Kingston-on-Thames on the 22nd December 1967. We then know it was the subject of some restoration work in 1995 and by the late 1990s emerged from dry storage before being acquired by Mr G Birks (Birks MotorWorks) and recommissioned in 2010. The Jaguar would be sold onto another owner before being purchased by Madonna for her son, Rocco Ritchie in 2021.
Rocco decided to have the car stripped back to bare metal, welded and repainted in Opalescent Maroon, in addition, the XK engine benefitted from an overhaul which included a rebore and new pistons. The interior was treated to a refresh and fitted with a reversing camera to aid manoeuvring. Works were completed in 2022. Rocco has used the car extensively; regularly appearing with it at several exhibitions that display his artwork. Madonna used the Jaguar for a 2024 photoshoot that appeared on Instagram, captioned 'Mood in LNDN'. Kept at Madonna’s address throughout Rocco’s custodianship, the MkX is being offered to market directly from him. Rocco describes the car as being in overall ‘good condition’ although the engine is ticking slightly and he feels it requires looking into. Used in London, the paintwork has suffered some small dings that may need attention, although Rocco describes it as looking ‘good’ overall.
For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430
Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 9th Oct, 2024
An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details
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