2012-05-30 11:01:34 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 6/12
www.bonhams.com/auctions/20165/lot/427/

Auction description:
3 Jun 2012 12:30 p.m. Greenwich, Connecticut
Collectors' Motorcars
Auction 20165
427•
Subject of an over $100,000 restoration
1957 Jaguar MkI Saloon
Chassis no. S986121BW
Engine no. KE25618
Body no. E002497

This Mk1 has been the fortunate recipient of an exceptionally well documented restoration with receipts total over $100,000. Purchased by the vendor on April 24, 1999 for $2,200, the car was brought to Vantage Motors, Inc of Stamford, CT for a complete, concours restoration. As detailed in the meticulously kept records, every bit of the car was gone over, refurbished or replaced, and made to operate like new. Any rust or prior repairs were cut out and refinished in metal. The 3.4-liter motor was completely disassembled, refurbished, and rebuilt. The interior was completely retrimmed in luxurious, red Connolly leather hides with Wilton wool carpeting and West of England wool broadcloth headliner at a cost of over $14,000.

Whilst completing the restoration, some select and subtle improvements were carried out as well. Mechanically, the original 3-speed Borg Warner automatic was replaced with a correct 4-speed manual with overdrive and the original drum brakes were replaced with correct four-wheel discs, both upgrades that will no doubt greatly enhance the driving experience. Additionally, an $1100 stereo with AM/FM radio and CD-changer has been artfully hidden to provide modern tunes without spoiling the appearance of the interior.

Completed in 2001, the Jag has been carefully stored under its fitted cloth cover and driven a mere 2,000 miles since restoration. In a ride with the vendor, the cataloger found the car to be very well turned out, no doubt looking as good as the day it left the restoration shop. The car ran very well on our drive, operating smoothly and accelerating swiftly--it truly embodied Sir Lyons motto of Grace, Pace and Space.

It is rare to find such an incredibly well presented Mk1 as restorations of this caliber are usually dedicated to its less practical cousin, the XK140. Additionally, every bit of documentation produced since the current vendor's 2001 acquisition--down to the checks used to purchase the car and pay for the work--has been retained and filed. One of the nicest Mk1s in the world, to be sure, it represents the perfect opportunity to buy an essentially brand new, turnkey 55 year old Jaguar!
Estimate:
US$ 35,000 - 45,00

2019-08-14 07:49:27 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 8/19

rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af19/auburn-fall/lots/r0381-1957-jaguar-mark-i-saloon ...

Auction description:

Lot Number 3154

1957 Jaguar Mark I Saloon

$35,000 - $40,000

Sold For $41,800

Offered without reserveRM | Auctions - AUBURN FALL 29 AUGUST - 1 SEPTEMBER 2019 - Offered from the Suburban Collection

Identification No. 5986121BW

Restoration completed in 2001 by Vantage Motors of Stamford, CT at a cost of over $100,000

Powered by a 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine

Fitted with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive

Features a Connolly leather interior with Wilton wool carpet

Upgraded with four-wheel disc brakes

2020-12-21 12:22:37 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at;

hymanltd.com/vehicles/6545-1957-jaguar-mark-i-3-4-saloon/

Seller's description:

This 1957 Mk I 3.4 is a superb example of Jaguar's seminal sports saloon. Presented in the classic combination of Old English White over a gorgeous red leather interior, this car is the recipient of a comprehensive, nut and bolt restoration by noted restoration specialists Vantage Motors of Connecticut. Extensive documentation kept by the previous owner shows he purchased the car in 1999, then promptly handed it over to Vantage for restoration. From the photos, we see it was a complete and original car, but quite tired, finished ex-factory in regency red over a red interior, and fitted with steel disc wheels and automatic gearbox.

The body was soon stripped down to bare metal, and the corrosion repaired, followed by the application of German "Schutz" chip guard to the underbody, wheel wells, and inner boot. With the body prepped, a layer of Old English White was applied to the whole shell. The body fit is exemplary, with doors that shut with a satisfying click, straight panels, and tight, even gaps all around. All chrome parts were removed, stripped, and repaired as necessary before being plated to concours standards. Details include chrome knock-off wire wheels fitted with Dunlop radial tires and a set of period-correct Lucas Ranger/Fog Ranger auxiliary lamps. While it has been some years since the car first rolled out of the Vantage Motors workshop, the Jaguar remains in superb condition from top to bottom with gorgeous paintwork and finishing.

Following the body restoration, the interior was handed over to the award-winning experts at Coachtrim, LLC of Stamford, Connecticut. Using the same materials as the factory, including Connolly hides, Wilton wool carpets, and West of England broadcloth, Coachtrim fabricated the soft trim from scratch. Improvements include a subtly reshaped driver's seat for better support and perforated kick panels to conceal speakers for the updated audio system. A hallmark of the Mk I interior is the extensive use of burl wood on the dash and window surrounds. The trim and fascia were restored to a high standard, and housing refurbished instruments and switchgear. In the time since the restoration, the soft trim remains in superb condition and has acquired a charming character in the leather seats from gentle use. Updates include seatbelts, a sporty wood-rimmed Momo steering wheel, and a period-look, modern AM/FM stereo with boot-mounted CD changer, the latter of which is protected by a custom cover to match the factory style boot upholstery.

Photos and receipts show the 3.4-liter inline-six received a complete tear-down and rebuild, with noteworthy components including new pistons, a reground crank, new bearings, new valves, and valve guides. The engine consists of a matching-numbers block with a replacement cylinder head, and a preferred four-speed manual with Laycock overdrive takes the place of the original Borg-Warner automatic, utilizing factory components for seamless integration. The fully-restored chassis features desirable four-wheel disc brakes, stainless steel exhaust, and the addition of Koni red dampers to improve cornering control. The mechanical components show some light signs of use, such as "baking off" of the porcelain exhaust manifolds, and some general road wear on the undercarriage. However, considering the time elapsed since the restoration, it is in superb condition all around.

The result of all of the effort and expense of the restoration came with an award for Most Outstanding Jaguar at the 2003 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. Since that time, it has received attentive care and remains in truly outstanding condition. We rarely see Mk I saloons so comprehensively restored as this incredible example. With its desirable upgrades, this Jaguar would make a worthy candidate for entry into any number of premier driving events around the world.

$58,500