Description
For sale is my 1968 Jaguar S-Type 3. 4, a manual overdrive car on wire wheels, located in Central London. The car is historic and MOT‑exempt.
I have owned the car for approximately five years. Due to other commitments, I have only had time to carry out basic maintenance during my ownership, but the car benefits from a thorough earlier restoration and remains a strong basis for a usable example.
In the late 1980s, the car was owned by a Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club member, who selected it specifically as a top‑specification S‑Type. At the time, it was a solid, low‑mileage survivor and was chosen as the basis for a full restoration when many good cars were still available.
The Jaguar S‑Type is widely regarded as the best‑driving of the Mk2‑era saloons, combining the classic Mk2 appearance with the independent rear suspension derived from Jaguar’s Le Mans‑winning D‑Type, along with all‑round disc brakes and the legendary twin‑cam XK engine. This example is the legendary Jaguar 3. 4-litre twin-cam XK engine, which powered Jaguar to four outright Le Mans victories between 1951 and 1956. The S-Type also boasts the The Jaguar IRS layout (double wishbone, inboard rear disc brakes) which was introduced on the D-Type in 1954
This IRS with inboard rear discs was used in the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Le Mans victories
IRS + all-round discs = 1955–57 wins
3. 4-litre engine wins = 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956
1957 win = same chassis technology, larger 3. 8 engine.
This S-Type inherits the suspension and braking philosophy, and the engine displacement used in the majority of victories.
Restoration & Specification
During restoration, many thousands of pounds were spent, including:
Full body rebuild with repaint and rustproofing
Brake system overhaul with copper‑nickel brake lines and stainless pistons
New wire wheels
Refreshed interior woodwork
Comprehensive mechanical overhaul
Stainless steel exhaust system
Mechanically, the car runs smoothly, sounds excellent, and brakes well, with recent brake and clutch fluid changes.
Condition & Notes
The car would benefit from light recommissioning rather than major work:
Full service recommended
Minor oil leaks at the front of the engine
New tyres advised (current tyres hold air for transport and test drives)
One carburettor float bowl leaking
One of the twin electric fuel pumps requires rebuilding (fitted but not currently operating)
Some lights not working, though most gauges appear to function correctly
Documentation
The car comes with:
Workshop manual
A large history file with many thousands of pounds in receipts documenting work carried out over several decadesSummary
An honest, well‑specified Jaguar S‑Type 3. 4 manual overdrive, offered transparently. A very good basis for further improvement or continued use, located in Central London and attractively priced to reflect its condition and scope. Being the 1968 model year version, it has the later specification uprated clutch cylinder and newer syncromesh manual gearbox. Although this is the original factory configuration, it really makes the manual gearbox experience pop, and changes positively, having been uprated to cope with the later heavier XJ6 bodywork which was also introduced in 1968.
Sensibly priced. Sensible offers considered.
