The S-Type was launched to the public in 1999 and was a controversial, retro-styled car with a name harking back to a model from the 1960’s. Despite that the S-Type was better received than its older namesake and was almost universally praised for its quality feel and surprisingly good dynamics.

The car was launched during Ford’s tenure of Jaguar, so the S-Type shared a platform and some components with cars such as the Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird of the period. Engines at launch were either a Ford 3L Duratec V6 or the powerful 4L AJ-V8 as featured in this example.

This example of S-Type has an intriguing history and provenance. The car is understood to be a pre-production prototype car as it was manufactured in November 1998 – well ahead of the March 1999 public launch. The first owner was known to be Jaguar Cars and the car’s number plate is the original number assigned to it in Coventry.

The car has been through the hands of just six careful owners with the last keeper owning the car since 2011. This interesting and well-presented Jaguar is now available to a new, enthusiastic owner.

There is a great depth of provenance providing paperwork supplied with this car as you will see from our photographic package. This archive includes the current V5 document, a Jaguar Certificate of Authenticity and a certificate confirming the car’s involvement with Jaguar’s 20th Anniversary celebrations of the S-Type.

There is also numerous bills and invoices detailing the fastidious maintenance schedule this car has enjoyed. These predominantly date from 2010 and include a £1,600 invoice for a gearbox rebuild and one from 2021 covering the supply and fitment of two upper suspension arms. This appears to be a well looked after car.

The interior of the S-Type is a luxurious place to spend time and is beautifully trimmed in Pewter, perforated leather. It is a great colourway in combination with the Sapphire Blue Metallic exterior colour. The seats appear to be in great original condition and no areas of significant imperfection were reported or noted.

The dash front, steering wheel, centre console and door cards all feature very attractive, complementary areas of birds’ eye maple veneer which really helps emphasise the luxurious ambiance of this interior.

Granite coloured carpets and Nimbus coloured headlining all appear to be in great original condition too, helping make this a really distinctive and well-presented cabin.

This is a well specified car too. Enhancements in the cabin include heated electric front seats, electric sunroof, navigation system and premium sound system with multi-CD changer to name a few.

The Sapphire Blue Metallic exterior finish is in great condition. Given this is a 22-year-old car, it is not without the odd blemish, but the overall impression is a very positive one.

The shut lines are tight and symmetrical, and the car appears to be free from any areas of corrosion or significant lacquer damage. The distinctive paintwork is deep and lustrous and helps give the car a very sophisticated road presence.

The 17-inch, ten spoke Jaguar alloy wheels appear to be original and are in great, used condition. The Falken tyres are in a 235/50 configuration and appear to retain plenty of tread depth all round.

Given the regular maintenance this car has received, and the low mileages covered, the mechanical systems of this car are unsurprisingly all reported to be in great condition and working order. 

The 4L V8 petrol engine in this car was rated at 285bhp and the current owner reports that this, combined with a 5-speed Ford automatic gearbox give the car a powerful yet refined character.

The owner reports that both the steering and brakes have a very positive feel to them.

Despite S-Type Jaguars not being that rare, cars of this calibre and provenance certainly are. The Jaguar saloons have long been praised for their comfort, refinement and promoting that “special occasion” feeling to those behind the wheel. This car is certainly no exception to that. A luxurious, well-specified interior combined with a refined but powerful V8 up front is a heady mix.

Add to that the very low original mileage and clearly pampered history of this car and you can start to see that this isn’t a run of the mill S-Type. Then, of course, there’s that fascinating, pre-production prototype aspect to this car. Clearly, then, this is a rare opportunity to own an S-Type of distinction and interest.