Description

1969 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 S1

Early chrome dial SWB example; exceptionally sound and original bodywork; recently recommissioned following a period in storage

When the Jaguar XJ6 was unveiled in 1968, it took the concept of the luxury sports saloon to a whole new level with astonishing standards of refinement that have not been significantly bettered to this day.


The company had found itself with a complex range of saloons which competed amongst themselves for sales. A buyer could choose between a Jaguar MkII, Daimler V8, S-Type or the gargantuan 420G, all on offer at not dissimilar prices. At a stroke, the new XJ6 kicked them all into the long grass, along with all their competitors, none of whom could match the performance, looks, ride quality and of course the legendary Jaguar value-for-money.


Available with the XK-derived 2.8-litre or 4.2-litre dohc six-cylinder engines, they found favour amongst the successful in society, whether show business, new money or the old guard. A series of TV advertisements featured Sir William Lyons claiming it to be the "Finest Jaguar ever", a boast few could disagree with.

First registered in London in August 1969, this XJ6 has had six owners from new, the current since 2004. An early ‘chrome dial' SWB model, it sadly has no history whatsoever but judging by the excellent rust-free state of the outer panels and the underside, it must have led a pampered life to date. It appears never to have had any welding, nor does it need any – it is even rock solid under the rear seats with the original factory sound-proofing still in place.

An online MOT history check draws a blank so it must have been off the road for at least 15 years or more. Recently unearthed from storage, it has just been recommissioned and treated to various new parts to get it into roadworthy condition. These include the radiator; all engine bay hoses; exhaust system; front suspension ball joints, shock absorbers and track rod ends; steering rack gaiters; brake flexi pipes and pads; accelerator and speedo cables; rear trailing arms and axle mounting rubbers.

It has also been treated to a full repaint in the original Regency Red, although this has not been done to a particularly high standard and it would benefit from a good machine polish at the very least. The boot lid also has some dents which would ideally be sorted out at the same time. The chrome surrounds for the front and rear screens are present in the boot, as is a spare rear parcel shelf, the one currently fitted being blighted by some rather nasty speakers from the ‘80s.

The interior is fairly presentable with decent Biscuit leather seats (which the cognoscenti will recognise as the wider-pleated Daimler items) and what appear to be the original carpets, although the headlining has sagged and the cant rails/rear screen surrounds could do with retrimming too. No big deal as all the materials are readily available at modest cost from those excellent chaps at Aldridge Trimming in Wolverhampton.

Since being returned to the road, CAN 476H has covered around 400 trouble-free miles and was driven some 60 miles to the sale on what was a boiling hot day with no problems whatsoever, the vendor reporting that the oil pressure never dropped below 40psi and the temperature gauge stayed reassuringly low, even when queuing in traffic. However he does advise that the speedo is a bit erratic, the rev counter doesn’t work and the fuel gauge only shows quarter-full even when full to the brim.

Due to the ravages of tin worm, the XJ6 Series One didn’t enjoy a great survival rate and good ones are now few and far between. The real attraction of this one is the fabulously well-preserved body shell. Chuck some some time and effort at the cosmetics and you could have a real show-stopper on your hands.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com