***Images supplied by vendor***
Highlights
- Exceptional history file with some eye-watering invoices
- Body restored between 10-15 years ago
- Matching numbers example
The Appeal
Produced for only 2 years between 1966 and 1968, the Jaguar 420 is one that can trace its roots back to the Mark 2.
These vehicles are commonly referred to as the forgotten Jaguar, due to having a short production run with only some 10,000 produced for worldwide sale. Only a handful survive today - so it’s easy to understand then why when someone mentions the Jaguar 420 that some people are left scratching their heads trying to remember what it is or when it was built.
You can’t blame the 420 for this, though, as even at its roots in Mark 2 form it was being overshadowed by the devilishly handsome E-Type, and by the time the 420 hit the market, the 2+2 E-Type had taken centre stage in the public eye.
So by owning one of these 420’s today, you're acquiring an obscure and extremely low volume sports saloon produced during the marque’s greatest years.
Fast, undeniably pretty, and a credible alternative to the Mark 2 and S Type the 420 is a great survivor and quite the sleeper, too.
These big cats demand dedicated ownership like any classic car but paired with one of the most reliable powertrains, and having undergone a recent complete engine rebuild circa 1,000 miles ago, this example is ready for whatever you throw at it.
In a world where rarity means expensive, these cars should command much, much more than they currently do.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered on the 19th of June 1968
- MOT exempt
- Recently undergone a Vehicle Safety Inspection and will pass any MOT
- Extensive service history provided
- V5C present in the current owners name
- Bodywork restored somewhere between 10-15 years ago, still in lovely shape
- Plethora of paperwork, some dating back to 1974
- Invoices totaling over an eye-watering £21,000
- Engine rebuilt in 2019 by Ockley Classics costing £11,900
- Original owner’s manual present in well used condition
- Scarcely used over the last few years
The Interior
- All original interior
- Heavily patinated front seats, in need of TLC
- Headlining appears to be in good condition and secure
- Woodwork all appears to be in good shape
- Original Smiths gauges
- Brightwork is in great condition
- Carpets all present and in fine shape
- Original door cards complete with signs of sun damage, could use some attention
- Original Jaguar toolkit in the boot, lightly patinated
- Boot area appears in good condition
The front seats show some major wear, the driver's seat has a good sized hole in the right side bolster, and a tear in the lower cushion, The same story can be told with the passenger side, but exhibiting far less wear and tear.
Sitting in the driver's seat you are presented with the long, wooden veneer dashboard in excellent condition.
The original Smiths gauges are still present and functional and the centre control console is all functional too featuring the 4 additional original gauges spaced evenly across the centre
In the rear, the seats show a good amount of usage but remain in much better shape than the front with no holes or rips, just some creasing and cracking throughout the lower bench - the back piece is in much better shape with just some light wear.
Door Cards are all original and intact, could also use some attention as they show signs of some discoloration from the sun.
In the boot area, the floor carpet is in good shape and when lifted, the metal floor is in okay condition, showing some dents and some surface rust here and there.
The original toolkit sits in the boot above the spare wheel, the spare wheel itself and also the original floor jack.
Overall, it’s a well-used and patinated example.
It makes you wonder where it’s been, how many memories have been made alongside it, and portrays just how much people have relied on it as the years have passed.
The Exterior
- Body restoration between 10-15 years ago
- Paintwork very well presented
- Panel and gaps appear uniform and of factory fitment
- Wheels and hubcaps in lovely condition
- Vredestein tyres all round with loads of tread left
We can’t argue, this is an extremely pretty Jag.
Thanks to a body restoration which took place over 10 years ago, this big cat still has the looks to turn heads and drop jaws. Finished in a lovely deep blue paint job, with excellently presented brightwork throughout, it’s easy to lose track of time admiring.
At the front of the vehicle, the plethora of chrome work here is stunning. The grill fins all appear straight, the vents under the headlights are well presented and the chrome bumper is as good as a mirror, what’s not to love with a front end as pretty as this?
The Jaguar symbol sits front and centre at the top of the grill, reminiscent of a proud crowned jewel. All of the light lenses up here appear in great detail too, with no signs of cracks or water ingress and retain fantastic clarity.
The only issue we can really pick at here is there seems to be a small chip in the paint where the bonnet closes, aside from this it's very well sorted.
Moving around to the side of the vehicle we can see that voluptuous body shape and sweeping curves reminiscent of an earlier Mark 2, with low slung rear arches finishing off that sleek and sporty aesthetic.
Paintwork here all appears to be in good order, with just a small chip appearing around the petrol tank filler cover. All four wheels appear in good shape, brightwork is lovely and the paint-matched wheels behind it all appear good with only very minor blemishes - some of the centre caps with the Jaguar logo could do with a little TLC.
To the rear of the sleek Jag, the tail lights appear to be in good shape and remain functional, as does the boot lid and locking mechanism.
Brightwork here is, again, in lovely shape including the bumper itself, there really isn’t much to pick at here at all! Truly a lovely example of a forgotten sleeper.
The Mechanics
- 4235cc In-line 6 cylinder engine
- Recent complete engine rebuild circa 1,000 miles ago in 2019 costing a staggering £11,900
- Automatic transmission
- Rear wheel-drive configuration
- 245bhp
- Engine bay in good condition
- Mechanically sound
These Jags are quite the wolf in sheep's clothing, harnessing a staggering 245bhp (high even by today's standards) through a big inline-6.
The current owner of the car states that the car is mechanically excellent and wants for nothing, starting and idling without any hesitation and maintains good, strong acceleration and smooth gear shifts.
He notes that there is a slight jerk from the gearbox shifting into reverse, however this is a common characteristic with these auto boxes and should raise no concern.
There are no unwelcome knocks or bangs from the suspension and the brakes remain powerful and do not pull to one side upon heavy application either.
The car was recently checked over by a mechanic and it was praised for how solid and well presented it was. On top of this, the car recently underwent a major engine rebuild in 2019, circa 1,000 miles ago, totalling £11,900 with a detailed invoice provided.
There are mountains of paperwork for this vehicle and previous work done, it truly is worthwhile having a read through the £20,000+ that’s been spent on the upkeep of this beautiful piece of history.
Summary
A rare and very sought after alternative to the earlier Mark 2, and arguably better looking too.
These 420’s are very few and far between and to find one with such a fantastically kept exterior with great mechanical workings which have seen no spared expense, is a needle in a haystack find.
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