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After having looked at 4 S types I saw a very nice looking 1967 Mk 2 3.8 Auto being offered at a very decent price (€25K asking). Pictures looked a little too good to be true but I thought I had better take a look.
Today I got to see it and get it up on the bridge. I could not find any signs of rust and the bottom was not coated so all was visible. Sills, under the doors, wheel arches all solid. Matching numbers chassis, engine and gearbox.
Interior is very good, wood is all nicely restored and the leather is perfect. It has the ugliest steering wheel you have ever seen but the original is in the boot. The front seats are not original but they are very comfortable and do not look too out of place (except the headrests) these could always be replaced with originals. Took it for a test drive and it is very lively. Automatic seems good but it the first time I have driven an old Jaguar auto box. The only fault I could find was that the tach seems to get stuck at 1500 rpm. I think I am going to pull the trigger tomorrow.
Nice looking Mk2! I would have never known the seats weren't original if not for you saying something. I don't think the steering wheel is terrible except that the color of the wood seems to clash a bit with the red for some reason, in my eye.
Nice looking Mk2! I would have never known the seats weren't original if not for you saying something. I don't think the steering wheel is terrible except that the color of the wood seems to clash a bit with the red for some reason, in my eye.
Its just a bit to shiny (and plastic looking) for this interior, anyway minor point and actually more comfortable than the original. Maybe replace it with something nice at some point
This is what I'm fitting. One of 4 made by Nardi with Moto Lita hub. The Nardi chap wanted his satin so who was I to argue. It is being made to match rest of wood gloss wise by a friend. Shallow dish 15"
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 03-01-2024 at 03:16 PM.
The gearbox number is the most difficult. Does BW66 mean it has a BW66 box? I didn't think they were ever fitted standard to a MK 2. The number is from the plate not the gearbox itself.
That looks like a great buy.
Don't let the tach problem worry you.
It is a simple instrument, actually an AC voltmeter.
It is most likely a lack of lubricant, and any competent instrument fitter should be able to fix it.
The gearbox number is the most difficult. Does BW66 mean it has a BW66 box? I didn't think they were ever fitted standard to a MK 2. The number is from the plate not the gearbox itself.
Not too sure the Borg Warner 66 tranny was ever factory fitted to the later Mk 2's
In any case, it is a better 'box than the DG250 being all aluminium casing thus much lighter & parts are plentiful.
I fitted a recondition one to my XJ6 and very happy with it.
Pulled the trigger. Got it for €23.5K. The cheapest 3.8 in NL that isn't a project car. The guy is even delivering it to my door. Keep thinking there must be a catch but only time will tell. Looks like a great deal for now.
Being delivered on Thursday.
It will be interesting to see what gearbox the car has in it, if it was a DG box on a 1967 car it would normally have had a dipstick under the bonnet for the gearbox just in front of the carbs (see below picture level with the front of the engine - ignore the brake master cylinder below as this car has a dual circuit conversion). Your car has the intermediate speed hold on the dashboard which would be for the DG but it might not be connected to anything anymore if the gearbox has been changed.
Looks as though some very tasteful modifications have been made to the car. Agree that the head restraints don't go with the car but the colour scheme I love. The steering wheel just looks too thick compared with a period wooden steering wheel and the dish is too deep.
As for the gear box I concur that the Mk2 was never fitted with the BW66 as far as I am aware but there might always have been one sneaked in at the back end of production that no one knew about. If it is a 67 then it is right on the end of the Mk2 production before they changed to the 240 and 340 where the 3.8 was dropped and the bumpers went from thick to thin. If the gearbox has been changed to a BW66 and the number is on the VIN plate then it is not a matching numbers car (not that that should bother anyone except in the USA) it means someone has altered the VIN plate to match the change of numbers. The best way to check it is to apply for a Heritage Certificate from here Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (jaguarheritage.com) This certificate will have all the original numbers, specs, colours and possibly the first owners details.
This is the period wooden steering wheel I fitted to my 1967 S Type. Note it is flat not dished.
Thanks. I will apply for the certificate. The Vin plate is screwed in place (the car has had a body off restoration) so could be altered. I won’t know until I can find the number of the gearbox. It is a very late ‘67 so who knows. I love your wheel, similar to this one which I think is the nicest yet.
The VIN plate should be riveted in place not screwed.
I think this is the best looking steering wheel for the Mk2 S Type. It is a factory option but very rare and I would love one. Even if you could find one though you would have to sell a Kidney to buy it. Glyn has more details on the history of this wheel.
The VIN plate should be riveted in place not screwed.
I think this is the best looking steering wheel for the Mk2 S Type. It is a factory option but very rare and I would love one. Even if you could find one though you would have to sell a Kidney to buy it. Glyn has more details on the history of this wheel.
Vic Derrington made these as an aftermarket wheel for Jaguar. They can look very good restored. People seem to either love them or hate them. Moto Lita makes a copy. They require a special boss.
This is a very nice restoration
This is my favourite wheel which was the genuine Jaguar Woodrim option ~ also made for Lyons by Derrington but rare as all hell. If you ever find one hang on to it tight or sell it to me.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 03-02-2024 at 03:30 PM.
Still trying to decode the gearbox info. I will have the car on Thursday but now I am curious what I have bought.
As you can see the VIN plate is screwed in position and could easily be a modified one. The chassis number does match with the number stamped next to the bonnet catch.
Looks to me that the number is 45PT 1 BW66. According to the Maintenance manual only car with a car number >= 224738 should even have the BW35. Mine is lower.
When it is actually in my name I will register for a heritage cert, hopefully that will clear up what it actually is.
I think someone has had that plate stamped as the gearbox number looks too long for the plate and also an LA engine number would be for a much earlier 3.8.
As mentioned above a heritage certificate will confirm what numbers it had originally but of course it doesn't really matter as long as your happy with it.
I think someone has had that plate stamped as the gearbox number looks too long for the plate and also an LA engine number would be for a much earlier 3.8.
As mentioned above a heritage certificate will confirm what numbers it had originally but of course it doesn't really matter as long as your happy with it.
Thats very true. I want a drivers car not a show car. Trying to track down the engine number now. It has a head painted gold.