Highlights
- Very rare B-prefix CKD locally assembled RHD car
- Largely original British Racing Green with original two-tone interior
- Exterior chrome re-chromed throughout
- Only 42,000 km reported from new
- Recommissioned since 2024 with long list of remedial work
- Highly presented car that is hard to find in this condition
- South African technical inspection valid to August 2027
The Appeal
The original Series 1 XJ was Sir William Lyons’ masterpiece: a beautifully resolved ‘four-door E-Type’ whose serenity, comfort, and ride put its straight rivals, the Mercedes W116, to shame, not to mention far more rarefied alternatives like the Silver Shadow. Even today, few modern cars offer the smoothness and effortless appeal of a good example. The Series 1 is increasingly sought out because it retains original, higher-quality features like door veneers and central dashboard dials that later cars lost.
While later Series 2 and 3 cars are plentiful, the Series 1 is now rare. This 1971 is one of the most original and best-preserved we’ve seen in a long while. It is one of around 3,000 B-prefix cars that were sent to South Africa as a Complete Knock-Down (CKD) kit for local assembly. These cars vary in detail from the Coventry-built cars, as enthusiasts will find in the photos. Finished in British Racing Green with a beige-and-brown interior, it remains highly original. The paintwork is largely factory-original, with only the two front doors professionally resprayed after localised rust repair. The chrome has been fully re-chromed, and the interior trim, headlining, seats, and walnut dashboard are reported to be original and in good condition.
Since 2024, the current keeper has undertaken a recommissioning process costing over £3,000. Work has included the fuel system, gearbox and carburettor service, suspension overhaul, and brake inspection, among other items. The vendor describes it as starting smoothly on the first turn from cold and being a genuinely lovely car to drive. Invoices for all work are included alongside current registration documents. The car carries a current South African technical inspection valid to August 2027.
Right-hand drive and UK-registered, the car is currently located in Pretoria, South Africa. The seller is happy to assist international buyers with shipping arrangements and is selling to move on to a new project.
The vendor says:
“The XJ6 Series 1 was the last saloon shaped by Sir William Lyons, and this example shows exactly why it is regarded as one of the most beautiful saloons ever made.
“It is a genuinely lovely car to drive. It is incredibly smooth and has proven very reliable, and the 4.2-litre engine opens up beautifully on the open road. Wherever it goes, it turns heads, because it is so well presented. In largely original paint and with an original interior, it is an absolute classic beauty.
“After a full recommissioning, the car looks close to how it would have looked the day it left the factory. I’m selling only because I’m moving on to my next project, and I’m ready to give another classic the same treatment.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 42,126 km indicated (stated as correct by seller)
- Country of registration: South Africa
- Technical inspection status: South African technical inspection to 31st August 2027
- Technical specs: 4,235cc inline-six petrol, three-speed automatic
- Paperwork: invoices for recommissioning work, South African registration documents, 1 set of keys
Summary of recent work since 2024:
- Full service with all consumables replaced
- Fuel system fully refurbished
- Fuel pumps
- Fuel filters
- Fuel lines
- Breather hoses replaced
- Gearbox serviced with fresh gearbox oil
- Carburettors serviced
- Ignition timing adjusted
- Radiator refurbished
- Suspension overhauled including ball joints
- Braking system inspected
- All fuses replaced
- Wiring checked throughout
- New battery
- Front doors rust repaired and professionally resprayed
- Exterior chrome re-chromed
- Full detail valet and ceramic coating
The Detail
- Extensive recent work costing £3,000 as summarised above and detailed in photos
- Largely original British Racing Green paintwork with recent localised repairs
- Paintwork presents well with some light age to note due to originality
- Front doors professionally resprayed after surface rust was cut out and repaired
- Vendor states door colour match is precise
- Detail valet and ceramic coating applied
- Minor paint bubbling noted at the rear of the car
- Exterior chromework rechromed recently we are told
- Steel wheels with chrome wheel embellishers and quality Goodyear tyres fitted
- Two-tone beige and brown interior said to be original and presents in very good order
- Fitted with period Becker Avus stereo and two-spoke steering wheel
- Dashboard and door veneers present well
- Floor carpets show some age-related wear and tear
- Vendor states the interior is original, factory-standard, and presents well
- Seats and headlining are reported as intact with no tears or damage
- Vendor notes minor oil leak possible after a long drive said to be typical of XK engine
- We are told that aside from this car has no known mechanical faults
- Car has been garaged and used only occasionally during current ownership
- Carries current South African technical inspection to August 2027 we are told
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