Preview: Barons Jaguar Heritage Auction, Sandown Park

The registration ‘JGR 1’ and trio of superb 1950s XKs  lead the entry for Barons’ Jaguar Heritage Sale at Sandown Park on 14 April.

What could be a more suitable registration number for a Jaguar than ‘JGR 1’? This distinctive plate could grace any Jaguar of any age (estimate £25,000-£35,000). And if they happen to also own a Rolls-Royce Ghost, the successful bidder might also care to consider ‘RRG 1’ (£25,000-£27,000).

The sale also includes three 1950s XKs. The 1954 XK120 Drophead Coupé was comprehensively and sympathetically restored in 2011/12 by Old School Engineering in Wales, with the aim of restoring it to original, factory specification with no modern upgrades. The one concession to modern motoring is a period-style radio with FM and iPod connectivity. The vendor now finds that he doesn’t have the time to use the car and has decided to pass it on to someone who will enjoy it. Estimate: £63,000-£70,000.

The stunning, concours-winning 1955 XK140 FHC on offer is a real crowd-pleaser, its red paintwork matched by the leather interior. This car competed in the 2009 Rally of the Tests, where it shared the concours prize for best-presented vehicle, and comes equipped with a Brantz rally meter and clock; all ready to take part in
classic road rallies this season. Estimate: £55,000-£65,000.

Another bright red beauty, the LHD 1957 XK150 Drophead Coupé is truly magnificent. Presented in outstanding condition, this car has been the subject of a full restoration and conversion to 3.8 S specification, and boasts performance not far removed from an E-type. Estimate: £57,000-£65,000.

No Jaguar Heritage sale would be complete without that most popular of Jaguars, the E-type, and Barons is offering a particularly stunning 1966 S1 roadster in the April 14th auction. The vendor bought the car in 1997, fresh from a nut-and-bolt restoration, with just 500 miles on the clock. During the restoration a brand new monocoque was installed to convert the vehicle from a FHC to a roadster, and the vendor subsequently added a period hardtop. Over the past 16 years the vendor has continually upgraded the car, including having the driver’s seat back modified to allow extra space for a tall driver. Estimate: £55,000-£60,000.

The rare 1947 MkIV saloon has been lovingly restored, and is a real head-turner in its royal blue and white livery, with French blue leather interior. This very special motor car carries an estimate of £27,000-£35,000.

The earliest car in the sale, the 1939 Freestone & Webb E4 Straight 8 Daimler Limousine, is one of just five such cars ever built, and now believed to be the only one left in existence. Estimate: £33,000-£38,000.

The 1983 Daimler Double Six is a very fine machine that has been the subject of some £35,000 worth of expenditure. The upgrading included the fitting of the last six-litre version of the Jaguar V12 engine, built from scratch by Brian Ball of Hampshire, who spent much of his working life at Brown’s Lane, latterly on the V12 production line. He created the engine for this car with an unused block and all-new internals and ancillaries throughout. The interior has been completely re-trimmed in fine Autolux leather, and the suspension, transmission, steering and brakes all upgraded, including large Brembo discs all round. Estimate: £15,000-£20,000.

MkII Jaguars are always popular, and the April 14th sale features a 1960 3.4 litre MkII which has not been offered on the market for almost half a century, having been in the same ownership for nearly 50 years. During that time the car has benefited from two bare metal repaints and, in 2007, an engine rebuild by VSE. The car
featured in Jaguar Driver magazine in the late 1990's, following a run to Cognac, when it also appeared on French TV. Finished in Jaguar Racing Green, the car sits on the correct, body-colour wire wheels and is equipped with the 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission. Estimate: £14,000-£17,000.

One of the reasons why Jaguars appeal to such a wide range of collectors is the fact that models are available to suit every budget, and two lots in the April 14th sale prove that point well; an elegant 1998 XK8 Coupé offered at just £2,500-£3,500, and a handsome 1995 XJ6 with an estimate of £1,500-£2,500.

For further information, or to consign a car to the sale, visit www.barons-auctions.com, email info@barons-auctions.com