'60s S-Type, thinking of buying one...
Discussion
Afternnon folks, I'm thinking of going for one of these fine '60s Coventry cats and was wondering what they're actually like to drive - I'd love to hear of any PH'er's experiences with them and any tips and pointers would be gratefully received.
The 'Jag itch' has been niggling away at me for a long time now and I'm at the point where I really want to do something about it, especially after having looked closely at the two S-Types and the various Mk2s and Daimlers on show at the NEC over the weekend. Previously I've had a half decent Rover P5B Coupe and am now on my third P6, but the urge for a proper old school Jag won't go away. I'm probaly looking at getting one early next year with a budget of £10k - 15k, so hopefully a really nice one can be found which I'd be satisfied with in the long run. The idea of having a Mk2 has also been on the radar several times, along with possibly a Daimler V8 / 250 or a 420 but for me the S-Type has something else which I can't quite put my finger on, I love the shape for starters, some folk don't rate it I know but for me it's spot on, despite it being a cross between a Mk2 at the front and a miniature MkX at the back. Almost every article I've read on the compact Jags says they're a better car to drive than the Mk2 thanks to the E-Type IRS - is this really true...? I've never driven either car but had a ride in a very ratty Mk2 as a nipper, a real dog belonging to a neighbour that was falling to bits, it was very much like the grey Mk2 in 'Withnail & I'! The overiding memory of that particular car though was the fabulous aroma of the cherry red leather cabin and the cosy feel it gave off.
I'm looking for something that will be a long term keeper, I've also got a '68 Cooper S which is definitely a keeper (currently away being partially restored) and a '72 Rover P6 V8 that will be sold to make way for the Jag - so with this in mind I've been thinking about what spec / colour combos I'd most likely go for and be happy with in the long term...
The 'Jag itch' has been niggling away at me for a long time now and I'm at the point where I really want to do something about it, especially after having looked closely at the two S-Types and the various Mk2s and Daimlers on show at the NEC over the weekend. Previously I've had a half decent Rover P5B Coupe and am now on my third P6, but the urge for a proper old school Jag won't go away. I'm probaly looking at getting one early next year with a budget of £10k - 15k, so hopefully a really nice one can be found which I'd be satisfied with in the long run. The idea of having a Mk2 has also been on the radar several times, along with possibly a Daimler V8 / 250 or a 420 but for me the S-Type has something else which I can't quite put my finger on, I love the shape for starters, some folk don't rate it I know but for me it's spot on, despite it being a cross between a Mk2 at the front and a miniature MkX at the back. Almost every article I've read on the compact Jags says they're a better car to drive than the Mk2 thanks to the E-Type IRS - is this really true...? I've never driven either car but had a ride in a very ratty Mk2 as a nipper, a real dog belonging to a neighbour that was falling to bits, it was very much like the grey Mk2 in 'Withnail & I'! The overiding memory of that particular car though was the fabulous aroma of the cherry red leather cabin and the cosy feel it gave off.
I'm looking for something that will be a long term keeper, I've also got a '68 Cooper S which is definitely a keeper (currently away being partially restored) and a '72 Rover P6 V8 that will be sold to make way for the Jag - so with this in mind I've been thinking about what spec / colour combos I'd most likely go for and be happy with in the long term...
- Don't mind if it's a 3.4 or a 3.8, but would prefer a manual / overdrive car over an auto.
- Would prefer wire wheels, even if they are a pain to keep clean.
- Very partial to red interiors so Gunmetal or Golden Sand would be an ideal colour, maybe white at a push. Also like Opalescent Blue a lot or Dark Blue. Not keen on BRG and don't want a pale coloured interior.
- The car will be garaged and I'll probably do around 3k miles a year.
Edited by P5Nij on Wednesday 21st November 15:20
Edited by P5Nij on Wednesday 21st November 15:21
Never owned a 'period' Jaguar except for an E-Type, but my father had a series of Mk.1, Mk.2's S-Types, 420 and ultimately XJ6 in the 60's, which I washed, travelled in and occasionally drove.
Of all of those, the S-Type was the best, but against today's Jags it will feel very antique. Unlike an XJ it will feel small. The engine is a delight, and the ride very smooth if you get it all in order,but the power steering is overassisted and possibly even dangerous as it eliminates 'feel'. Not sure if they all had it. I am sure that modern 'upgrades' would be available and well worth having. IMHO you would be better with the Jaguar hub caps, the wire wheels lack subtlety.
Good luck.
Of all of those, the S-Type was the best, but against today's Jags it will feel very antique. Unlike an XJ it will feel small. The engine is a delight, and the ride very smooth if you get it all in order,but the power steering is overassisted and possibly even dangerous as it eliminates 'feel'. Not sure if they all had it. I am sure that modern 'upgrades' would be available and well worth having. IMHO you would be better with the Jaguar hub caps, the wire wheels lack subtlety.
Good luck.
cardigankid said:
Never owned a 'period' Jaguar except for an E-Type, but my father had a series of Mk.1, Mk.2's S-Types, 420 and ultimately XJ6 in the 60's, which I washed, travelled in and occasionally drove.
Of all of those, the S-Type was the best, but against today's Jags it will feel very antique. Unlike an XJ it will feel small. The engine is a delight, and the ride very smooth if you get it all in order,but the power steering is overassisted and possibly even dangerous as it eliminates 'feel'. Not sure if they all had it. I am sure that modern 'upgrades' would be available and well worth having. IMHO you would be better with the Jaguar hub caps, the wire wheels lack subtlety.
Good luck.
Thanks for that, quite illuminating ;-)Of all of those, the S-Type was the best, but against today's Jags it will feel very antique. Unlike an XJ it will feel small. The engine is a delight, and the ride very smooth if you get it all in order,but the power steering is overassisted and possibly even dangerous as it eliminates 'feel'. Not sure if they all had it. I am sure that modern 'upgrades' would be available and well worth having. IMHO you would be better with the Jaguar hub caps, the wire wheels lack subtlety.
Good luck.
I'm not sure if they all had PAS from the factory, that's something I'll need to check on. I don't mind a bit of 'antique' feeling though, my P5B Coupe was like that in some ways but it still managed to keep up on dual carriageways and motorways. The PAS on it was very light but it certainly didn't feel unsafe.
Time to get out there and start looking at what's about I think ;-)
P5Nij said:
Thanks for that, quite illuminating ;-)
I'm not sure if they all had PAS from the factory, that's something I'll need to check on. I don't mind a bit of 'antique' feeling though, my P5B Coupe was like that in some ways but it still managed to keep up on dual carriageways and motorways. The PAS on it was very light but it certainly didn't feel unsafe.
Time to get out there and start looking at what's about I think ;-)
Lovely cars and yes, they are more refined than the Mk2's.I'm not sure if they all had PAS from the factory, that's something I'll need to check on. I don't mind a bit of 'antique' feeling though, my P5B Coupe was like that in some ways but it still managed to keep up on dual carriageways and motorways. The PAS on it was very light but it certainly didn't feel unsafe.
Time to get out there and start looking at what's about I think ;-)
Like all Jags of the period they are easy to upgrade if you feel the need.
More than one type of power steering system was fitted to Jags in the 1960's. The Variomatic type was very highly rated but I'm not sure if it was available for the S type or just the 420.
I'll probably be shot-down, but I always fancied modifying the rear wheelarches of the S-type/420 as I think they make the car look a bit "heavy".
MPH - the rear arches on S-Types and 420s are one of the things I like about them...!
The thing with 420s (for me anyway) is that they always seem to look better in the flesh than they they do in photographs, I'd certainly entertain the idea of one if the right S-Type doesn't come along. They do seem to be underated but values of good ones are rising.
The thing with 420s (for me anyway) is that they always seem to look better in the flesh than they they do in photographs, I'd certainly entertain the idea of one if the right S-Type doesn't come along. They do seem to be underated but values of good ones are rising.
P5Nij said:
MPH - the rear arches on S-Types and 420s are one of the things I like about them...!
The thing with 420s (for me anyway) is that they always seem to look better in the flesh than they they do in photographs, I'd certainly entertain the idea of one if the right S-Type doesn't come along. They do seem to be underated but values of good ones are rising.
Sorry about that, they do have a certain charm.The thing with 420s (for me anyway) is that they always seem to look better in the flesh than they they do in photographs, I'd certainly entertain the idea of one if the right S-Type doesn't come along. They do seem to be underated but values of good ones are rising.
I've never owned an S type, but have driven a few. I've owned four or five 420's and really liked them at the time.
Also depends if you're looking for a manual or auto.The 420 is rare in manual form, but would make a really nice car.
Would you consider an S1 XJ6 ? To my eyes they still have the charm of the earlier cars, particularly with the traditional Jaguar dash layout. In my opinion they're underpriced.
mph said:
Sorry about that, they do have a certain charm.
I've never owned an S type, but have driven a few. I've owned four or five 420's and really liked them at the time.
Also depends if you're looking for a manual or auto.The 420 is rare in manual form, but would make a really nice car.
Would you consider an S1 XJ6 ? To my eyes they still have the charm of the earlier cars, particularly with the traditional Jaguar dash layout. In my opinion they're underpriced.
No need to apologise, each to their own eh ;-)I've never owned an S type, but have driven a few. I've owned four or five 420's and really liked them at the time.
Also depends if you're looking for a manual or auto.The 420 is rare in manual form, but would make a really nice car.
Would you consider an S1 XJ6 ? To my eyes they still have the charm of the earlier cars, particularly with the traditional Jaguar dash layout. In my opinion they're underpriced.
I'd prefer a manual whichever car I plump for. And yes, a S1 XJ is also 'on the list' but the shapes of the compacts have a very strong pull for me and always have! Having said that the '71 XJ6 for sale at the NEC was a stunner with so much charm and presence... but at over £17k it certainly wasn't underpriced... ;-) They do seem to vary in price a lot from what I've seen this year.
You're right, the S-Type is a better car than the Mk2 however the Mk2 is worth more (which is why an S is a bargain IMO).
Worry about rust, and when I mean worry about rust be deathly afraid. The bodyshells on these can hide serious rust and appear solid, many have been half-assed repaired and fixing them properly can exceed the cars value.
Otherwise usual warnings apply: leather, chrome and wood trim aren't cheap to fix, XK engines aren't cheap to fix, etc.
And get a 3.8, its a bigger difference over the 3.4 than you'd imagine. It's one of those cars where spending more to buy a really good one in the beginning is the cheapest path to ownership.
Worry about rust, and when I mean worry about rust be deathly afraid. The bodyshells on these can hide serious rust and appear solid, many have been half-assed repaired and fixing them properly can exceed the cars value.
Otherwise usual warnings apply: leather, chrome and wood trim aren't cheap to fix, XK engines aren't cheap to fix, etc.
And get a 3.8, its a bigger difference over the 3.4 than you'd imagine. It's one of those cars where spending more to buy a really good one in the beginning is the cheapest path to ownership.
Captain Cadillac said:
You're right, the S-Type is a better car than the Mk2 however the Mk2 is worth more (which is why an S is a bargain IMO).
Worry about rust, and when I mean worry about rust be deathly afraid. The bodyshells on these can hide serious rust and appear solid, many have been half-assed repaired and fixing them properly can exceed the cars value.
Otherwise usual warnings apply: leather, chrome and wood trim aren't cheap to fix, XK engines aren't cheap to fix, etc.
And get a 3.8, its a bigger difference over the 3.4 than you'd imagine. It's one of those cars where spending more to buy a really good one in the beginning is the cheapest path to ownership.
Thanks for those two latest replies chaps....Worry about rust, and when I mean worry about rust be deathly afraid. The bodyshells on these can hide serious rust and appear solid, many have been half-assed repaired and fixing them properly can exceed the cars value.
Otherwise usual warnings apply: leather, chrome and wood trim aren't cheap to fix, XK engines aren't cheap to fix, etc.
And get a 3.8, its a bigger difference over the 3.4 than you'd imagine. It's one of those cars where spending more to buy a really good one in the beginning is the cheapest path to ownership.
I'm certainly intent on buying the best car I can afford, hence my first pitch with a budget of around £15k, as I know prices for really good examples are rising, alongside the often overlooked 420s. The 'pull' of a nice Mk2 is still very strong and probably always will be, but the practicality and draw of a top notch on the button S-Type with history is keeping me focused - thanks again all, your comments are very much appreciated ;o)
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