2018-10-03 13:43:46 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 9/18
www.brightwells.com/classic-motoring/leominster-classic-vintage/leominster-class ...

Auction description:
Lot number 121
Sale Price Not Sold
Make & Model Jaguar MkI 3.4 Automatic
Registration XJW 222
Year 1959
Colour Grey
Engine Size 3,442 cc
Chassis No. S975142-BW
Engine No. KF2472-8
Documents V5C; V5; buff log book; many old MOTs and tax discs; original purchase invoice, handbooks etc

As the original purchase invoice confirms, XJW 222 was bought new in December 1958 by Mr Joseph Fellows of Wolverhampton for the sum of £1,864-7s-0d (including a crippling £622-7s-0d in purchase tax!). He kept the car for eight years before selling it to a Cabury's employee, John Gregory of Alvechurch, from whom the current keeper (now deceased) acquired it in 1973.

A number of rosettes and commemorative plaques in the glove box show that the car attended numerous shows and Jaguar Drivers Club rallies throughout the '70s and '80s and in April 1990 it was also featured in an episode of Top Gear, a VHS recording of which is retained in the history file along with correspondence from the BBC.

Many old tax discs back to 1984 and many old MOTs from 1998 (at 46,572 miles) to 2012 (at 48,065 miles) show that it was only very lightly used throughout this time. The odometer currently shows only 48,535 miles which may perhaps be genuine but there is insufficient paperwork to warrant this.

An automatic model finished in pale grey with a matching leather interior, it appears to be in largely original condition throughout and would now benefit from some attention to the lower bodywork. It started promptly and ran well as we moved it around for these photos.

Supplied with its original buff log book, old style V5 and current V5C, it also comes with an original sales brochure, owner's handbook, factory service manual and parts catalogue. The original toolkit is also still present and complete along with the spare wheel and wheel-changing kit.

Long undervalued, the Jaguar 3.4-litre is finally being accorded the respect it deserves and the few that survive are now increasingly sought after. With just three owners, low indicated mileage, good history and a rare assortment of period tools and handbooks, XJW 222 looks most appealing at the sensible guide price suggested.