Registration No: Unregistered
Chassis No: S99209BW
MOT: Exempt

• Sold new by Peter Satori of Santa Barbara Inc. to the Abbot family who kept it until 2017
• Exceptionally well preserved by the Californian sunshine with notably good panel fit
• Repainted Cotswold Blue by the supplying dealer when it was just six months old
• Accompanying paperwork includes the original Car Purchase Order form, JDHT Certificate and NOVA declaration
• Recommissioned by the vendor and chosen to act as Course Car at this year's Goodwood Revival

Combining sportscar performance with saloon practicality, the 3.4 litre version of Jaguar's ground-breaking MkI was introduced in 1957. Sharing the same monocoque bodyshell as its established 2.4 litre sibling, the newcomer was similarly equipped with independent coil and wishbone front suspension and a Panhard rod-located leaf-sprung back axle. However, with some 210bhp and 215lbft of torque on tap, the larger engined model was easily capable of overwhelming its hydraulic drum brakes prompting Jaguar to hurriedly introduce a four-wheel disc option (later standardised). Structurally over-engineered (especially above the waistline), the MkI 3.4 litre lent itself to competition usage with even the standard road going variant being reputedly capable of 120mph. Maintaining a sense of originality despite being stylistically indebted to its MkVII and XK140 siblings, the MkI 3.4 litre remained in production until 1959 by which time some 17,406 are thought to have left the Browns Lane factory.

According to its accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this particular example – chassis S992209BW – was built to left-hand drive specification and despatched to Jaguar Cars, New York for distribution on 17th April 1959. A desirable ‘Special Equipment’ model as denoted by its ‘S’ chassis prefix, the sports saloon boasted a 9:1 compression ratio, wire wheels and automatic transmission (complete with ‘Speed Hold’). The original Car Purchase Order on file reveals that the MkI had been ordered by Mrs Margaret Abbot on January 12th 1959 for delivery twelve months later. She had paid $4,446 for the Jaguar and been allowed $1,800 in part-exchange for her existing MkI 2.4. Interestingly, the same document also details an agreement with the supplying dealership, Peter Satori of Santa Barbara Inc, whereby they would pay half the cost of a respray if the factory Black paintwork ‘does not suit’. A California ‘Black Plate’ car, the sports saloon was duly repainted in its current Cotswold Blue livery at six months old. Retained by the Abbot family until 2017, ‘Peter Satori’ stickers still adorn the MkI’s windscreen and driver’s door jamb, while its wooden dashboard carries a plaque for the Santa Barbara Concours d’Elegance.

Repatriated by the vendor and NOVA declared in January 2018, the work he subsequently put into recommissioning the Jaguar convinced him that its current odometer reading of circa 30,000 miles represents the total covered from new. The remarkable condition of the bodywork and lack of heavy wear to the steering, brakes and suspension all added weight to his conviction as did accompanying invoices for work carried out during the 1980s at 22,566 and 26,112 miles. The doors sit well within their apertures and open and close with notable ease. Traces of the original Black paintwork can still be found in places (most notably to the underside of the spare wheel cover). Starting readily and sounding decidedly purposeful thanks to its renewed exhaust system, the MkI 3.4 litre retains its original Black leather upholstery and a period Philips Transistorised radio. Yet to be UK registered (the ‘400 VPX’ number plates visible in the photos are for display purposes only), chassis S992209BW has nevertheless been enjoyed on various road trips. Proof of its soundness and appeal, the sports saloon has been chosen to act as the Course Car at this year’s highly prestigious Goodwood Revival meeting. Surely one of the lowest mileage and most original MkI 3.4 litres left extant?

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737