Fast Facts:

• A characterful, usable classic sporting saloon, equipped with an effortless 4.2-litre inline six and boasting significant recent work alongside some period-appropriate upgrades

The Details:

Introduced in 1966 as Jaguar’s final development of its 1960s compact sporting saloons, the 420 combined the S-Type platform with a larger 4.2-litre XK twin-cam six, independent rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, while maintaining the luxurious appointments the marque was known for. It sat above the Mark 2 and S-Type, offering more power, greater refinement and a more modern grand touring character, in a more compact automobile.

This example is finished in navy blue over a light grey leather cabin with navy trim and a timber veneer. The cabin features Smiths instruments, wood trim, a wood-rim steering wheel, and later updated electric front seats. The seller notes a chip on the rear boot lid and a blister on the front passenger door.

Power is courtesy of the 4.2-litre XK inline-six with twin SU carburettors. The seller advises that the carburettors have been rebuilt and an electronic distributor has been fitted. 

Arriving from the factory with the Borg-Warner automatic, this example has been converted to a period-correct four-speed all-synchro manual gearbox with electric overdrive. The gearbox is understood to have been serviced and a replacement overdrive solenoid installed.

A complete rear-end rebuild is reported to have been completed, updating the car to a 3.056 ratio. Replacement front and rear springs and shock absorbers have also been installed. 

Other recent work is said to include an oil and filter service with a spin-on oil filter conversion replacing the cartridge canister. Front, rear and handbrake calipers have been rebuilt, with new rotors and pads installed at the the front, rear and handbrake. New tyres have been installed including the spare, as well as replacement headlights. 

With this work completed, the seller reports that the car starts easily, often not even requiring the choke, shifts well and is very smooth on the road, handling highway speeds with aplomb.

The odometer shows approximately 65,000 miles, and the vehicle is accompanied by handbooks, a Jaguar 420 service manual, parts catalogue and partial history as well as a selection of recent invoices.

With its 4.2-litre XK engine, manual overdrive conversion and significant recent mechanical attention, this 420 presents as an honest, eminently usable classic sporting saloon.

Auction Listing Disclaimer Online Classics Pty Ltd NSW MD License 100933

Descriptions and information are supplied by the seller or owner of the vehicle and are believed to be accurate and not misleading to the best of their knowledge. Prospective buyers are required to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and independent verification is strongly recommended.

Vehicles listed on retrorides.com.au & rrauctions.com.au may have undergone cosmetic or bodywork repairs that are not visually discernible. Photographs may not precisely represent the colour or condition; therefore, buyers should directly confirm key specifications. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, it must be assumed that any vehicle registration plates are excluded from the sale of a car or motorcycle.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for this vehicle has been verified against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), at the time of listing the vehicle, and no security interest or other encumbrance is recorded against the serial number. Furthermore, this vehicle has been checked via the Austroads National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS), and there are no markers present within the written-off or stolen vehicle databases.

Access to and use of data provided through the PPSR is subject to the PPSR terms of use and applicable third party data conditions. 

To the extent permitted by law, all data provided through the PPSR is made available without any representation or warranty of any kind (without limitation in respect to accuracy) and the Commonwealth, and third party data providers (which includes Austroads Ltd (ABN 16 245 787 323) and any person mentioned in the third party data conditions as providing information through the PPSR), have no liability to you in respect of any loss or damage that you might suffer no matter how arising (including negligence) that is directly or indirectly related to the NEVDIS data.