Lot 624: 1967 JAGUAR 420G FOUR-DOOR SALOON

Black with red leather interior.

Engine: six cylinder in-line, twin overhead camshafts, triple S.U. carburettors, 245bhp at 5,500rpm, 4,235cc; Gearbox: three speed automatic; Suspension: front, fully independent with wishbones and coil-springs, rear, trailing-link with coil-springs; Brakes: hydraulically-operated discs all round. Right hand drive.

Jaguar Cars returned to the large luxury saloon car market in 1961 with the lordly Mark X saloon, and this in turn re-emerged as the 420G at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1966 as a reiteration of Jaguar's independence after the merger with BMC. Styled by Sir William Lyons, clearly with the needs and preferences of the increasingly important North American market in mind, it was lavishly equipped and surrounded its occupants with an ambience of deep pleated leather, thick pile carpet and highly polished veneers. It was of unitary structure, and the designs of its rear independent suspension were soon also to be found on the E-Type sports models. In deference to its performance and weight, disc brakes were standardized from the beginning, as was power steering. Top speed for the 4.2 litre version was 122mph, and it took just 7.9 seconds to reach 50 mph, with a cost of just £2,156. Impressive though these figures were, the 420G's real role was to cosset senior executives, to whisk them with silent efficiency from airport to boardroom. It was a task this fine automobile and its latter descendants were to satisfy admirably for some two decades to follow.

This example has suffered a little over its years of storage, especially on the exterior. Its original black paintwork has developed surface rust all over it but, fortunately, the sumptuous red leather interior has not suffered to the same extent and is described as "worn but preservable". Having stood for 25 years the car is in need of recommissioning. It retains the original service book, and its last tax disc, which was issued in Basildon and expired at the end of May 1979. The car is sold with old-style buff logbook and V5, and with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate, which confirms it as a matching numbers car.
numbers car.