Arrived home in Jan ‘73 after seven months away, my first trip in the Merchant Navy. Part of the trip running from the US West Coast to Vietnam, States Marine charter, 100% war bonus. Bought a 1967 3.8 S type for £220, beautiful light blue metallic, great condition. Used it, almost lived in it, for six months. Sold it on my return to sea for £220. Such fond memories.
This brings back memories of the 60s for me I always had jags S types and 420, not the G , I remember seeing a 420 G for sale and drove out to the country and found the cottage, and guess who it was, Claude Bailey who I believe was the head engineer of Jaguar, apparently, Jaguar gave the car to Claude Bailey as a retirement present, he did all servicing himself and even gave me Jaguar magazines with articles written about him and he signed them all. I lost track of time chatting with him it was past midnight when I finally left. I feel like a kid again.
My Father had a Mk2 Jag 3.4, 4spd/O/D, red leather seats ( very comfy!! ) paint was a creamy white, my grandmother had an XK150, 3.4 4spd man?? green leather seats chrome wire wheels BRG colour. BEAUTIFUL cars!!!!!!!!!! On one trip we were in a hurry for a doctors appointment; 90mph not kph, NO problem, it would get very to 120mph!!
I remember as a kid in the late sixties being confused by Jaguar S-Type and the huge Jaguar Mk 10/ G model in later years. I think they became known as the 420 [the S Type] compact and the 420 G {grand} the bigger one! The big one was made for the U.S.A. market but both models were as rare as hens teeth!. This smaller saloon S -Type is the one you really want as a driver and the big G model was the one to sit in the huge back seat couch!
@@keplermission I wonder, is india a socialist country? Sadly the Brits lost most of their motor industry, for variety a reasons. Not because of arrogance? Tata owns a major slice in Jaguar but alas Jaguar still runs the Company.
Hi Iain, my cousin worked for 'The Jag' as he called it, at Browns Lane in Coventry in the early 1960s. He met Sir William Lyons on several occasions,and said that the great man was not averse to rolling his sleeves up and getting his hands oily to resolve problems as they arose. He also informed me that he had the honour of loading several D Types onto a transporter for the trip to the Motor Show at Earles Court in London. And finally he mentioned that he and several colleagues were quite friendly with Jaguar's test driver,the late great Norman Dewis OBE with whom he would have a drink at the local pub near the factory !
Another fascinating learning experience. I do love the way Iain explains in a clear understandable way, the key technical highlights of each car that graces his workshop.
Happy memories was the last jaguar my dad bought before he passed away remember going out on Sundays to Keele services on the M6 dropping off my mum and sister then going up a junction and round in a loop going at 100mph just before speed limits came in he created a petrolhead son in those trips 😁🤓
A Harry's Garage video followed by an Iain Tyrrell video on a Jaguar S-Type. What a way to spend the night. Finally some appreciation for British metal. Lovely looking cars, a proper Jaaaag. Thank you Iain!
I had one of these OPC ???D, I was a 20 year old apprentice in 1973, it was in light blue with chrome wires and a Webasto sun roof. I paid a dentist £150 for it! He was proper old school informing me he had NEVER used 1st gear! I could not afford to run it, so put it up for sale on the garage forecourt I was working at, one bloke took a shine to it and long story short I did a straight swap for his 1969 1600E, this was the best car I have ever owned. TRUE STORY. Literally 3 days later the middle east oil crisis kicked in, the bloke who swapped with me, returned to ask for his 1600E back, because his wife didn't like the S type. Rubbish of course, it was all about the shortage of petrol, and the Jag did like a LOT of petrol!!!
My mom had the 3.8 S when we lived in Beverly Hills, California and I got it when she was done and it was my "first" car! OH what a joy to drive--took it up to 127 mph once upon a time on an empty straight arrow blacktop highway near Palm Springs. But one thing about that engine? Back when Mom was still driving it, we kept smelling gas in the car and took it to the dealer on the Sunset Strip where the head of the service dept (who wore a spotless white shop coat and an ascot, resembled John Cleese, and clearly never personally touched a car--smile) took us to the wonderful tool kit that sat in the spare tire, withdrew a large black BOLT, went to the engine and said, "Well, what you have m'am is a sticky float valve in your carburetor--so when that happens, this is where you hit it" and proceeded to RAP the bolt head on the carb to "unstick" the float!!! I remember laughing that THIS was how this marvel of engineering was to be repaired! But wow, the luxury of the leather and wood, the utter novelty in the US at that time of the push-button starter, but mostly the AMAZING steering of the car which was so responsive and "positive" compared to the big boat Caddy's and Lincolns of that era and you're so right about it being the best-riding car of the era by far (my car after this was a Mercedes and it had ZERO personality by comparison). The ONE issue that wasn't Jag's fault but was a US thing was that of course the car never had American-style/standard air conditioning in the UK but when they brought them to America they added an after-market air conditioner that sat in the trunk from some outfit in Florida. And with it, this open-road-intended car, when driven in the heat and stop-and-go traffic of Los Angeles with its tiny grill ran VERY hot. Once upon a time, again before I got the car from Mom, we were driving on a very hot L.A. day and there was a BANG as loud as a shotgun and then steam from the hood--when opened, we found that the plastic bottle reservoir for the windshield-washer had basically exploded like hard taffy slammed onto a countertop--just shattered really. ANYHOW, I loved it all through my college years but when we decided it was time to sell, we left it with a consignment guy in the San Fernando Valley who specialized in special cars like this and HE had a potential customer take it for a test drive and utterly wreck it! I shed more than one tear and will always remember my 3.8 S. It was my first and, as I think back, best ever car indeed! Thank YOU for the tour and details and for spurring these memories.
I used to work on these cars in the 1970's. They really were comfortable and smooth really very close in ride to a Rolls Royce for a lot less money. The smell of leather and the beautifull wooden trim is wonderful. Rust was a problem.
I had a friend who had several Classic British luxury marques: Rolls, Bentley; he also had a Ferrari. The problem: it takes a LOT of money to keep one of these cars looking the way THIS Jag does...and it could use a bit of rust work, plus resolving that oil leak. If unloved, one of these Classics can look plain and uninterest quickly.
The Jaguar factory made no consideration for rust prevention until well into the 1980’s. Porsche began their anti rust efforts in the 1960’s. That helps explain why you can still find early 911’s.
My dad bought one of these back in the day, we drove round Forest Gate and Stratford East London from West Ham where we lived, my mates thought we were rich as my dad had a Jag, it set me in the path of loving classic cars today
I’m surprised the BBC or itv hasn’t contacted you - honestly how much more Michael Portillo on a train 🚆 can the British Public take (or put up with) when there’s quality content like this waiting in the wings ? - Excellent. ♥️😇👍
Hi Chris you are right Ian does a great video and he knows exactly what he is talking about. He don’t need a load of people doing all the research he just gets on with it. I don’t know How a major tv company has not got him on board Especially showing all the aspects of full restorations. Not like all the over inflated Egos on the crap American shows. All the shouting and cussing gets on my nerves. Could you imagine some of the drama queens working for Ian. They wouldn’t last five minutes. But the yanks love all that s;/:t. Like the way the American cop shows where the police are always shaping up to fight each over. All bollox.
@@russcooke5671 - Well when you think how popular wheeler dealers is/was or car S.O.S. it’s easy to see how much in demand this content would be for the BBC/ITV …..I’m sure they have scouts looking for new shows so it’s probably just a case of when not if. This is more Mastermind/University challenge standard material as apposed to Blankety blank/Top gear so there shouldn’t really be an issue as you also have Exotic /Classic cars as a canvas background. Ian’s silk presentation speaks for itself. Its hard to believe he’s not presenting something else on television being such a natural. I think I saw someone liken him to “The Richard Attenborough of cars” which I believe sums it up perfectly. ♥️😇👍
@@chrisscannell5635 Hi Chris Exactly right. All this restoration business it a great pastime. And learning experience. I like watching the wheeling machines making the panels from scratch. I watch as many as I can. I would love to learn th use the wheeling machine. 👌👌👌👌👌
There is definitely a zero missing on Subscribers on this channel. It is very pleasing and enjoyable to me and i am not into cars et all, said that, not even English ;-)
Trip down memory lane there Ian. Sales manager always had jags where my father was service manager in NE Lancs. Traveled in all the iconic cars of that era and even some exotic ones dad would bring home at lunch time to show me, and have a quick spin in. Just wish we had the photographic evidence for everything then we have now. Vicar at my boarding school in London had an S type, wire wheels and all; strange transport for a vicar, but he was an interesting guy. Love your posts mate, take me back to a simpler time . Cheers from NZ.
Nice to be reminded about the great history box Jaguar, I wasn't a fan until I went to the museum at Gaydon, a great visit for anyone that hasn't been.
I own a 65 3.8S with wire wheels and air conditioning, also a 1963 XKE roadster, but the car I love to drive is my 1959 Mk IX, great looking art deco design and all three have the same engine.
Back in 1971 when I was just 22 years old my boss was selling his 3.4 MK ll Jaguar and I decided to buy it. What a great car it was for a young guy to cruise the town in back then. I can still remember the smell of the leather and the luxurious interior. As I recall the overdrive worked on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, It was bronze in colour, similar or a little darker then this car, with a red leather interior and the reg. was BDA544B, {Big daft Allan} my boss's name.
The car chase in Robbery is one of the all time great movie car chases along with the Steve mcqueen Bullet car chase driving the v8 mustang... Awsome 👍
Thanks Ian for the thoughtful and respectful review of one of Jaguar’s best. I owned and drove a handful of the classic Jaguars for 50 years. Papa had an E Type OTS for his daily driver, and I bought a 1953 Mark VII saloon, black of course, in High School and drove it for 7 years. The famous XK engine was actually developed for the Mark VII, and would push that large 6 passenger saloon car to over 100 mph: quite an accomplishment back in the day and faster than any contemporary American sedan. The XK engine was England’s equivalent of the ubiquitous Chevrolet small block V8, winning LeMans and powering Jaguar saloons into the 1980’s. As a red blooded American teenage boy, I naturally modified my Mark VII by securing a pony keg of beer in the large trunk and running a hose up to the beer tap on the burled walnut dashboard. We even drag raced it with a bevy of beautiful young women on board, losing the race but winning hearts and affection.
@Garth Lundquist The XK engine was developed initially for the launch of the new Jaguar sports car, the XK120 in 1948, 2 years before production of the Mk VII which ran from 1950 to 1956.
@@greybeard4798 The XK engine was developed during WWII to power a new post war saloon that was to be the Mark VII. The XK 120 ( I have owned 2) was drawn by William Lyons in record time to take advantage of the new engine. 120 development was an afterthought, and the factory totally underestimated the strong demand from the public once it was revealed at Earls Court. Actual first deliveries didn’t occurred for another 18 months. The 120 frame, notable for how big and heavy it was, is a shortened version of the Mark VII frame. The XK engine replaced the 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter overhead valve pushrod sixes that were supplied by Standard Motor Company. Jaguar was at the time anxious to offer engines of their own design and manufacture in lieu of buying these components from outside vendors.
Excellent review. I used to own one of these beautiful cars, and have learned a lot of technical stuff from this post. It’s a shame that a lot of people in America stripped these beautiful XK straight six engines out and put their own V8s in
This is the "stereotypical " English luxury sedan example that remains a benchmark as to how I (and others) compare luxury sedans - the classic wood and leather interior (love that narrow, skinny steering wheel), the polished dash with the switches and controls, soft, comfy leather seating, the elegant lines and shape of the body, those beautiful inset headlights and the supple, firm ride. And that legendary engine. Over time, Lucas electrics and the state of the labour/trade unions vs management within the British automobile industry really let these cars down. I love them! Another fantastic post - thank you!
That's the car I learned to drive in, I was living with my uncle when I was 15 years old and he took me to the bull wall outside of Dublin near Clontarf to drive on the sand along Dublin Bay. It was a standard shift with right hand drive and I had never driven before. God bless you Uncle Billy, this is around 1968.
I love this channel, Ian’s knowledge and enthusiasm comes over in such a lovely way. It’s not all about the latest, fastest etc but about a real appreciation of excellence, design, quality and a reflection of history.
I remember as a young kid when Dad came home from work one day he announced that he was getting a new Jag. His partner was having an Automatic so he said we could have a 3.8 or wire wheels. He thought we'd all like the bigger engine but my brother , myself & my Mum immediately shouted out in unison "Wire Wheels!" . The new 3.4S M/od Jag looked a million dollars in dark navy with chrome wires. Whenever Dad was asked if he had a problem keeping the wheels clean, he would say, "Not at all...but the guy who cleans the Car, he has". It was stolen once while visiting my Grandparents. The Police found it about 4 hours later. When asked whether they thought it was joyriders, the desk Sargeant replied "it was probably used on a job".
As an erstwhile owner of a 1962 3•8 litre 'S' Type I cannot but agree with your description of it as a wolf in sheep's clothing, it looked so docile but its performance and handling belied its appearance.
A beautiful presentation of part of our motoring heritage. The engine and interior is sublime, fantastic work Iain . Will the modern computers on wheels ever be seen in the same way in the future? . A good friend in Denmark would often collect me from the airport in his or alternatively a fully restored Morris Minor. It could really move and I remember the overdrive light👍👍👍
Here in the USA (New Jersey),when i was young in the early 1970s i would frequenly see a good fair amount of jaguar coupes and sedans, loved the looks of jaguars,we simply say 'Look, here comes the cat'! LOL.Thanks for the ride.
I am a massive fan of the Series 2 XJ, but these S Types, I think are one of the best cars ever made, the MK2 front and MK10 rear just perfect styling.
I have a huge fondness for these cars.. Having passed my test in 1964, my father allowed me to buy a Mk1 Sprite, from there having got into club motorsport I moved to a series of more competitive types until in 1974 I had need of a saloon car. The need wasn't due to a burgeoning family, but to move a huge quantity of Drachma from Greece to Switzerland. Due to a coup that had ousted the royal family, a close friend and client had to vacate the country and asked if I could do him a 'favour' in helping move the money. If you prise away the carpet from the footwells, you'll find two circular access plates that allow access to the inner wings.. you'd be amazed at how much can be stowed in those wings, yet we still almost overfilled them... I don't have sufficient space to describe that journey and the other issues involved, but that car, 3.8 with overdrive had to cover the distance to Geneva in record time through one of the worst blizzards Europe had ever seen. Great challenge and I chose the very best car for the job.
I can remember my uncle having a pale blue 3.4 Mk2 with grey leather upholstery and a manual gearbox. My cousin and I would ride in the back hanging on to the grab handles or arm rests. This was followed by a dark blue with red leather 3.8 S-Type with an auto box. A few years later my dad had a VX 4/90 with a 4 speed manual box with a GKN-Laycock overdrive on 3rd and 4th, effectively giving you 6 gears, but by then the switch had moved to the gear knob. He later bought a FD Ventora with the 3 speed automatic. Rolls Royce used a GM auto on the Silver Shadow as did Ferrari on the 400i and Jaguar on the XJ12. I always felt nauseous in the back of the Mk2, sliding around whereas in the Vauxhalls, not at all. More light, grippier seats and being bigger made a difference. Nice to see the S-Type as l think it often slipped almost unnoticed between the Mk2 and the XJ6. Wasn't there also a 420 version?
My favorite Jag for all the reasons so expertly laid out by Iain. Apart from the technically advanced IRS and engine, the beautiful dash and sumptous leather seats make the S-Type the classic Jaguar pick. I've been saying this for 30 years so it's time to get one! Thanks for the giddyup Iain...
my boss's wife drove a 67 when I did my apprenticeship.. 38 years ago I told my lovely wife I would get her one... I think it's the most beautiful passenger car ever made... inside and out thanks for sharing
Excellent video,reminded me of when the local Lloyds bank was robbed in the early 70’s & the police searched my fathers car repair business as his car spraying man had an S type similar to the one used.
Just watched Harry garage video got my cup of tea ready to watch Mr Iain Tyrrell ‘s video thank you so much keep up the amazing work looking forward to the future as always love the knowledge thank you very much
I remember so many Mk1, Mk2 and S-Types living out their days sitting on streets rotting away because the owners couldn't afford the fuel or to pay to service them. They all had worn rear brakes and U/S handbrake before being shipped to breakers to be banger raced or stripped of the engine and rear suspension for specials and hot rods. My Dad who owned a garage wasn't a fan, was more a Ford man and thought them over complicated and the family arguments went on well into the night about the relative merits. For me it's so nice to see some of these beauties survived, I always considered the XK engine a work of art.
The S type was compromised by the metal (Pressed Steel Fishers) . I worked at the main dealers in Newcastle during the 60’s and it was rare not to see an S type with rust. We simply called them ‘rot boxes’. Thank heavens for that fabulous engine, lovely interior and Jaguar name.
Underrated car. How many were trashed in the Sweeney? Just throwaways in the 70s/80s and only now has the market woken up to the fact these have the style of the MK2 but with a much more sophisticated suspension set up.
@@paulhorton5612 Apparently for The Sweeney, they bought clapped-out S-Types, had their mechanics do them up so they would run for a while, and then thrashed the living daylights out of them and sent them to the scrapyard. Looking back, it was a crying shame that so many S-Types ended their days rolling over after crashing into warehouse pillars or milk churns, or driving into piles of sand on building sites.
My 1966 Mark 2 with its 2.4L automatic has so much ‘pulling’ power, my wife calls it my ‘chick’ magnet. I have rebuilt the engine and transmission from the ground up, it has a 3.4 head with twin SU’, a Series 1 XJ6 front axle with power steering and Series 1 disc brakes, replacing the smaller two pot calibers. With modern radial tyres the ride and handling are much improved. It has a complete unused Jaguar tool kit in its original metal case, wire wheels, metallic silver grey. Just needs the front drivers seat, recovered, red leather etc. also a respray. No rust, in Australia cars wear out engines, not bodies, the reverse of the UK. Mine has done 98,000 miles from new, owned by a lady driver, it has its complete log book and service records and user manual-I love it. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 👍😁🇦🇺🦘
This channel NEVER disappoints; about 25 years ago, I looked seriously at a few MKIIs and S-Types, they are my favorite vintage Jaguars. Thanks for the video, it was a delight.
25yrs ago it wasn't uncommon to see a mark sitting around languishing in storage yards here on the west coast of America needing to be refurbished but never seeming to get it, as if people loved them to much to scrap them yet they couldn't justify the high cost of refurbishing them
Ha, I bought one, an auto box in silverblue metallic in 1972 in Coventry UK so it was only ten years old for £50.00 YES. I still have the bonnet mascot which my sister dechromed for me. I was 23 years old then and daft so it slid off to the scrapyard after a few years rusting away in my garage. It was a bodge job at Jaguars to be able to use up the many body panels left in inventory from the last model, they stretched the rear end with longer rear doors. Happy days wish I still had it today.
Wow! I used to work for someone who had the same car. His once belonged to Indian royalty, was beaten up by use, sold back to Jaguar, and restored in England. He then bought it in England and it was shipped to the US. I hadn't thought about that car until I saw this video.
The S-Type video has made my day. My Dad had a 67 S-Type and I’ve loved them ever since. Lot’s of happy memories the best part of any day out was the Journey in the S-Type. Many thanks.
I am an outlier here: I don't own a car and have only ever owned a car on two occasions, first, an Austin Metro, second, and very briefly , a Rover 214. However, in my heart this Jaguar is the car I would love to own and drive. It's elegant, luxurious, comfortable and ever so desirable. Thanks for a great and simple explanation of complex engineering features.
There's just something special about Jaguars. Can't really put my finger on it but I really like them (although I've never owned one). Either way, car world would be really boring without them. Cheers. I subscribed and watched every single of your videos.
We simultaneously owned two of these beautiful "S" types from the mid '70's into the late '80's both 1966 manual overdrive, one a 3.4 S, the other a 3.8 S with chrome Dunlop wire wheels. The 3.4 was my wife's "shopping trolley", and because it had no power steering, her upper body work out exercise. The 3.8 was the family express, both great absolutely reliable vehicles for all the time we owned them, lots of family memories made, all bought back by your beautifully done review Iain, thankyou so much.
My father bought an S Type after having a Mark 2 in period. I was too young too fully appreciate it, but I can remember being fascinated by the twin fuel tank dials; I think he was more than happy to purchase the new XJ6 when it came out, because the S Type used to drink like a fish and you could literally watch each the first fuel tank drain as you drove along and the second one took over.
The XK engine is probably the finest engine made by anyone EVER. The engineering is unsurpassed
Harry Metcalfe, Iain Tyrrell and Allen Millyard. Three national treasures!
I like Henry Cole, as well
and Jaguar ....
If Fred Dibnah was still with us, you'd have the complete set!
And I like Aiden Millward
In that order
Arrived home in Jan ‘73 after seven months away, my first trip in the Merchant Navy. Part of the trip running from the US West Coast to Vietnam, States Marine charter, 100% war bonus. Bought a 1967 3.8 S type for £220, beautiful light blue metallic, great condition. Used it, almost lived in it, for six months. Sold it on my return to sea for £220. Such fond memories.
This brings back memories of the 60s for me I always had jags S types and 420, not the G , I remember seeing a 420 G for sale and drove out to the country and found the cottage, and guess who it was, Claude Bailey who I believe was the head engineer of Jaguar, apparently, Jaguar gave the car to Claude Bailey as a retirement present, he did all servicing himself and even gave me Jaguar magazines with articles written about him and he signed them all. I lost track of time chatting with him it was past midnight when I finally left. I feel like a kid again.
My Father had a Mk2 Jag 3.4, 4spd/O/D, red leather seats ( very comfy!! ) paint was a creamy white, my grandmother had an XK150, 3.4 4spd man?? green leather seats chrome wire wheels BRG colour. BEAUTIFUL cars!!!!!!!!!!
On one trip we were in a hurry for a doctors appointment; 90mph not kph, NO problem, it would get very to 120mph!!
Nothing beats old-school interiors, plastics these days just doesn’t compare, and never will.
The refinement in luxury in British luxury cars is I think unmatched.
I remember as a kid in the late sixties being confused by Jaguar S-Type and the huge Jaguar Mk 10/ G model in later years. I think they became known as the 420 [the S Type] compact and the 420 G {grand} the bigger one! The big one was made for the U.S.A. market but both models were as rare as hens teeth!. This smaller saloon S -Type is the one you really want as a driver and the big G model was the one to sit in the huge back seat couch!
Iains knowledge is second to none when it comes to these classics. It's always a pleasure to watch a Tyrrells video😊
No ... India owns Jaguar today and it's a better car for it. The British were arrogant and couldn't compete in the modern market.
@@keplermission I wonder, is india a socialist country? Sadly the Brits lost most of their motor industry, for variety a reasons. Not because of arrogance? Tata owns a major slice in Jaguar but alas Jaguar still runs the Company.
@@keplermission😢
Hi Iain, my cousin worked for 'The Jag' as he called it, at Browns Lane in Coventry in the early 1960s. He met Sir William Lyons on several occasions,and said that the great man was not averse to rolling his sleeves up and getting his hands oily to resolve problems as they arose.
He also informed me that he had the honour of loading several D Types onto a transporter for the trip to the Motor Show at Earles Court in London. And finally he mentioned that he and several colleagues were quite friendly with Jaguar's test driver,the late great Norman Dewis OBE with whom he would have a drink at the local pub near the factory !
Another fascinating learning experience. I do love the way Iain explains in a clear understandable way, the key technical highlights of each car that graces his workshop.
Happy memories was the last jaguar my dad bought before he passed away remember going out on Sundays to Keele services on the M6 dropping off my mum and sister then going up a junction and round in a loop going at 100mph just before speed limits came in he created a petrolhead son in those trips 😁🤓
A Harry's Garage video followed by an Iain Tyrrell video on a Jaguar S-Type. What a way to spend the night. Finally some appreciation for British metal. Lovely looking cars, a proper Jaaaag. Thank you Iain!
Time well spent!
Sunday evening! a perfect evening would could not be complete without a new episiode of Harry's Garage and Iain Tyrrell!
That's my Sunday dream video round up.
Or a bbqed steak with some Tyrell's dry red.....
My daily drive is a 2001 XJ8, I am 75 and I enjoy the comfort on long trips ...
Sunday- watch Tyrrell and Harry channels time. Always fabulous.
I had one of these OPC ???D, I was a 20 year old apprentice in 1973, it was in light blue with chrome wires and a Webasto sun roof.
I paid a dentist £150 for it! He was proper old school informing me he had NEVER used 1st gear!
I could not afford to run it, so put it up for sale on the garage forecourt I was working at, one bloke took a shine to it and long story short I did a straight swap for his 1969 1600E, this was the best car I have ever owned.
TRUE STORY.
Literally 3 days later the middle east oil crisis kicked in, the bloke who swapped with me, returned to ask for his 1600E back, because his wife didn't like the S type.
Rubbish of course, it was all about the shortage of petrol, and the Jag did like a LOT of petrol!!!
My mom had the 3.8 S when we lived in Beverly Hills, California and I got it when she was done and it was my "first" car! OH what a joy to drive--took it up to 127 mph once upon a time on an empty straight arrow blacktop highway near Palm Springs.
But one thing about that engine? Back when Mom was still driving it, we kept smelling gas in the car and took it to the dealer on the Sunset Strip where the head of the service dept (who wore a spotless white shop coat and an ascot, resembled John Cleese, and clearly never personally touched a car--smile) took us to the wonderful tool kit that sat in the spare tire, withdrew a large black BOLT, went to the engine and said, "Well, what you have m'am is a sticky float valve in your carburetor--so when that happens, this is where you hit it" and proceeded to RAP the bolt head on the carb to "unstick" the float!!! I remember laughing that THIS was how this marvel of engineering was to be repaired! But wow, the luxury of the leather and wood, the utter novelty in the US at that time of the push-button starter, but mostly the AMAZING steering of the car which was so responsive and "positive" compared to the big boat Caddy's and Lincolns of that era and you're so right about it being the best-riding car of the era by far (my car after this was a Mercedes and it had ZERO personality by comparison).
The ONE issue that wasn't Jag's fault but was a US thing was that of course the car never had American-style/standard
air conditioning in the UK but when they brought them to America they added an after-market air conditioner that sat in the trunk from some outfit in Florida. And with it, this open-road-intended car, when driven in the heat and stop-and-go traffic of Los Angeles with its tiny grill ran VERY hot. Once upon a time, again before I got the car from Mom, we were driving on a very hot L.A. day and there was a BANG as loud as a shotgun and then steam from the hood--when opened, we found that the plastic bottle reservoir for the windshield-washer had basically exploded like hard taffy slammed onto a countertop--just shattered really.
ANYHOW, I loved it all through my college years but when we decided it was time to sell, we left it with a consignment guy in the San Fernando Valley who specialized in special cars like this and HE had a potential customer take it for a test drive and utterly wreck it! I shed more than one tear and will always remember my 3.8 S. It was my first and, as I think back, best ever car indeed! Thank YOU for the tour and details and for spurring these memories.
Very enjoyable ; my cousin had one back in the eighties - a lovely place to be indeed !
I used to work on these cars in the 1970's. They really were comfortable and smooth really very close in ride to a Rolls Royce for a lot less money. The smell of leather and the beautifull wooden trim is wonderful. Rust was a problem.
I had a friend who had several Classic British luxury marques: Rolls, Bentley; he also had a Ferrari. The problem: it takes a LOT of money to keep one of these cars looking the way THIS Jag does...and it could use a bit of rust work, plus resolving that oil leak. If unloved, one of these Classics can look plain and uninterest quickly.
The Jaguar factory made no consideration for rust prevention until well into the 1980’s. Porsche began their anti rust efforts in the 1960’s. That helps explain why you can still find early 911’s.
@Uncle Gilbert did you ever find any cucumbers?
My dad bought one of these back in the day, we drove round Forest Gate and Stratford East London from West Ham where we lived, my mates thought we were rich as my dad had a Jag, it set me in the path of loving classic cars today
How can you possibly know so much about everything? It’s fascinating to listen… never boring or didactic. Thanks for a great weekend treat.
Hello James how are you doing 😊
Hi James how are you doing😊
My dad bought a new one 3.8 s in silver blue March 1966, l had the honour of driving it home and l was just 19 years old. We had the car for 7 years
I’m surprised the BBC or itv hasn’t contacted you - honestly how much more Michael Portillo on a train 🚆 can the British Public take (or put up with) when there’s quality content like this waiting in the wings ? - Excellent. ♥️😇👍
Hi Chris you are right Ian does a great video and he knows exactly what he is talking about. He don’t need a load of people doing all the research he just gets on with it. I don’t know How a major tv company has not got him on board Especially showing all the aspects of full restorations. Not like all the over inflated Egos on the crap American shows. All the shouting and cussing gets on my nerves. Could you imagine some of the drama queens working for Ian. They wouldn’t last five minutes. But the yanks love all that s;/:t. Like the way the American cop shows where the police are always shaping up to fight each over. All bollox.
@@russcooke5671 - Well when you think how popular wheeler dealers is/was or car S.O.S. it’s easy to see how much in demand this content would be for the BBC/ITV …..I’m sure they have scouts looking for new shows so it’s probably just a case of when not if. This is more Mastermind/University challenge standard material as apposed to Blankety blank/Top gear so there shouldn’t really be an issue as you also have Exotic /Classic cars as a canvas background. Ian’s silk presentation speaks for itself. Its hard to believe he’s not presenting something else on television being such a natural. I think I saw someone liken him to “The Richard Attenborough of cars” which I believe sums it up perfectly. ♥️😇👍
@@chrisscannell5635 Hi Chris Exactly right. All this restoration business it a great pastime. And learning experience. I like watching the wheeling machines making the panels from scratch. I watch as many as I can. I would love to learn th use the wheeling machine. 👌👌👌👌👌
I prefer this format - the Beeb or ITV would add that irritating plinky plonky music that permeates all TV programmes these days!
There is definitely a zero missing on Subscribers on this channel. It is very pleasing and enjoyable to me and i am not into cars et all, said that, not even English ;-)
Good to listen to something positive about British engineering, I get tired of the everyone else is better. Thanks.
My uncle who was at D Day and an officer of the Queens Own Rifles had a 60’s Jag that he was so proud of.
i have a 1964 S type in a storage shed in NZ. Hopefully she will be running again soon.
Trip down memory lane there Ian. Sales manager always had jags where my father was service manager in NE Lancs. Traveled in all the iconic cars of that era and even some exotic ones dad would bring home at lunch time to show me, and have a quick spin in. Just wish we had the photographic evidence for everything then we have now. Vicar at my boarding school in London had an S type, wire wheels and all; strange transport for a vicar, but he was an interesting guy.
Love your posts mate, take me back to a simpler time . Cheers from NZ.
Just because of you and the Jaguar S-Type I chased up a copy of the movie “Robbery”. Great car chases as you said.
That was quite "Lovely." I enjoyed your review & comments!
Nice to be reminded about the great history box Jaguar, I wasn't a fan until I went to the museum at Gaydon, a great visit for anyone that hasn't been.
That interior is fantastic, as well as the body work around those front lights
lovely car and love the colour. thanks for the ride in your jag. very interesting .
Love the shape of the S Type I remember them quite well when I was a teenager,👍👍👍.
I own a 65 3.8S with wire wheels and air conditioning, also a 1963 XKE roadster, but the car I love to drive is my 1959 Mk IX, great looking art deco design and all three have the same engine.
Back in 1971 when I was just 22 years old my boss was selling his 3.4 MK ll Jaguar and I decided to buy it. What a great car it was for a young guy to cruise the town in back then. I can still remember the smell of the leather and the luxurious interior. As I recall the overdrive worked on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, It was bronze in colour, similar or a little darker then this car, with a red leather interior and the reg. was BDA544B, {Big daft Allan} my boss's name.
Aaahh! The Laycock overdrive, also used on Triumphs.
My Dad had a 3,4 s type reg cvu740c.Seems to be untraceable now!
The car chase in Robbery is one of the all time great movie car chases along with the Steve mcqueen Bullet car chase driving the v8 mustang... Awsome 👍
I just hope Jaguar come back with a new model that puts them back on the podium.
Thanks Ian for the thoughtful and respectful review of one of Jaguar’s best. I owned and drove a handful of the classic Jaguars for 50 years. Papa had an E Type OTS for his daily driver, and I bought a 1953 Mark VII saloon, black of course, in High School and drove it for 7 years. The famous XK engine was actually developed for the Mark VII, and would push that large 6 passenger saloon car to over 100 mph: quite an accomplishment back in the day and faster than any contemporary American sedan. The XK engine was England’s equivalent of the ubiquitous Chevrolet small block V8, winning LeMans and powering Jaguar saloons into the 1980’s. As a red blooded American teenage boy, I naturally modified my Mark VII by securing a pony keg of beer in the large trunk and running a hose up to the beer tap on the burled walnut dashboard. We even drag raced it with a bevy of beautiful young women on board, losing the race but winning hearts and affection.
@Garth Lundquist The XK engine was developed initially for the launch of the new Jaguar sports car, the XK120 in 1948, 2 years before production of the Mk VII which ran from 1950 to 1956.
@@greybeard4798 The XK engine was developed during WWII to power a new post war saloon that was to be the Mark VII. The XK 120 ( I have owned 2) was drawn by William Lyons in record time to take advantage of the new engine. 120 development was an afterthought, and the factory totally underestimated the strong demand from the public once it was revealed at Earls Court. Actual first deliveries didn’t occurred for another 18 months. The 120 frame, notable for how big and heavy it was, is a shortened version of the Mark VII frame. The XK engine replaced the 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter overhead valve pushrod sixes that were supplied by Standard Motor Company. Jaguar was at the time anxious to offer engines of their own design and manufacture in lieu of buying these components from outside vendors.
What a gorgeous car
Excellent review. I used to own one of these beautiful cars, and have learned a lot of technical stuff from this post. It’s a shame that a lot of people in America stripped these beautiful XK straight six engines out and put their own V8s in
What’s brilliant Iain is that you share history and knowledge of whatever fabulous car is receiving TLC, very informative and enjoyable
The test run should have had a Consul GT chasing you!
This is the "stereotypical " English luxury sedan example that remains a benchmark as to how I (and others) compare luxury sedans - the classic wood and leather interior (love that narrow, skinny steering wheel), the polished dash with the switches and controls, soft, comfy leather seating, the elegant lines and shape of the body, those beautiful inset headlights and the supple, firm ride. And that legendary engine. Over time, Lucas electrics and the state of the labour/trade unions vs management within the British automobile industry really let these cars down. I love them! Another fantastic post - thank you!
What’s a sedan?
@@sullacicero2610 It's what Americans call a saloon car.
@@user-xk3ip6wd1z and we spell ‘labor’ labour and call the unions ‘trade unions’ here!
These have a firm ride?
@@leenevin8451 compared to their American contemporaries, yes
That's the car I learned to drive in, I was living with my uncle when I was 15 years old and he took me to the bull wall outside of Dublin near Clontarf to drive on the sand along Dublin Bay. It was a standard shift with right hand drive and I had never driven before.
God bless you Uncle Billy, this is around 1968.
Cup of coffee here in the States. Looking forward to it.Drove one of those years ago.
Now that is timing. Just finished Harry's video on his gearbox and now this. An Iain double-bill.
Owning a car with an XK engine is one of my life goals.
My 1982 Toyota Corona had an overdrive button as well. Never imagined it had anything in common with a Jaguar.
I love this channel, Ian’s knowledge and enthusiasm comes over in such a lovely way. It’s not all about the latest, fastest etc but about a real appreciation of excellence, design, quality and a reflection of history.
I had one of these machines. Bought it in Malaysia, repaired it and imported it back to Australia. Wish I still had it. Was a fabulous car.
I remember as a young kid when Dad came home from work one day he announced that he was getting a new Jag. His partner was having an Automatic so he said we could have a 3.8 or wire wheels. He thought we'd all like the bigger engine but my brother , myself & my Mum immediately shouted out in unison "Wire Wheels!" . The new 3.4S M/od Jag looked a million dollars in dark navy with chrome wires. Whenever Dad was asked if he had a problem keeping the wheels clean, he would say, "Not at all...but the guy who cleans the Car, he has". It was stolen once while visiting my Grandparents. The Police found it about 4 hours later. When asked whether they thought it was joyriders, the desk Sargeant replied "it was probably used on a job".
Thank you for an intelligent channel. Never dumbed-down.
The Gentleman's Club interior, beautiful condition
Thank you for this beautifull video of my very favourite car in one of Jaguar / Daimler most precious 'Golden Sand' colour
I love these technically biased episodes. I always learn something that I had never really understood before. When the master speaks, I pay attention!
Hello how are you doing 😊
From a former owner of an S-type, I've got to say this was a very accurate description of the car. Well done.
Hello Ken how are you doing 😊
As an erstwhile owner of a 1962 3•8 litre 'S' Type I cannot but agree with your description of it as a wolf in sheep's clothing, it looked so docile but its performance and handling belied its appearance.
A beautiful presentation of part of our motoring heritage. The engine and interior is sublime, fantastic work Iain . Will the modern computers on wheels ever be seen in the same way in the future? . A good friend in Denmark would often collect me from the airport in his or alternatively a fully restored Morris Minor. It could really move and I remember the overdrive light👍👍👍
Thank you too.
Another brilliant video, Thanks.
Here in the USA (New Jersey),when i was young in the early 1970s i would frequenly see a good fair amount of jaguar coupes and sedans, loved the looks of jaguars,we simply say 'Look, here comes the cat'! LOL.Thanks for the ride.
I am a massive fan of the Series 2 XJ, but these S Types, I think are one of the best cars ever made, the MK2 front and MK10 rear just perfect styling.
Happy memories of your grandads cars and dad's 250 V8 matt
lovely video on a lovely car. Thanks Ian!
I have a huge fondness for these cars.. Having passed my test in 1964, my father allowed me to buy a Mk1 Sprite, from there having got into club motorsport I moved to a series of more competitive types until in 1974 I had need of a saloon car. The need wasn't due to a burgeoning family, but to move a huge quantity of Drachma from Greece to Switzerland. Due to a coup that had ousted the royal family, a close friend and client had to vacate the country and asked if I could do him a 'favour' in helping move the money. If you prise away the carpet from the footwells, you'll find two circular access plates that allow access to the inner wings.. you'd be amazed at how much can be stowed in those wings, yet we still almost overfilled them... I don't have sufficient space to describe that journey and the other issues involved, but that car, 3.8 with overdrive had to cover the distance to Geneva in record time through one of the worst blizzards Europe had ever seen. Great challenge and I chose the very best car for the job.
I thoroughly enjoyed this … Mr. Tyrell looks verybmuch at home in that cabin
I can remember my uncle having a pale blue 3.4 Mk2 with grey leather upholstery and a manual gearbox. My cousin and I would ride in the back hanging on to the grab handles or arm rests. This was followed by a dark blue with red leather 3.8 S-Type with an auto box. A few years later my dad had a VX 4/90 with a 4 speed manual box with a GKN-Laycock overdrive on 3rd and 4th, effectively giving you 6 gears, but by then the switch had moved to the gear knob. He later bought a FD Ventora with the 3 speed automatic. Rolls Royce used a GM auto on the Silver Shadow as did Ferrari on the 400i and Jaguar on the XJ12. I always felt nauseous in the back of the Mk2, sliding around whereas in the Vauxhalls, not at all. More light, grippier seats and being bigger made a difference. Nice to see the S-Type as l think it often slipped almost unnoticed between the Mk2 and the XJ6. Wasn't there also a 420 version?
My favorite Jag for all the reasons so expertly laid out by Iain. Apart from the technically advanced IRS and engine, the beautiful dash and sumptous leather seats make the S-Type the classic Jaguar pick. I've been saying this for 30 years so it's time to get one!
Thanks for the giddyup Iain...
Reminds me of my 1985 XJ 6. Loved that car!
I just learned more in 22 minutes about jaguars in my 55 years than I could’ve ever imagined. This is like tribal knowledge being handed down
what a car ..what an interior wow
my boss's wife drove a 67 when I did my apprenticeship.. 38 years ago I told my lovely wife I would get her one... I think it's the most beautiful passenger car ever made... inside and out
thanks for sharing
Excellent video,reminded me of when the local Lloyds bank was robbed in the early 70’s & the police searched my fathers car repair business as his car spraying man had an S type similar to the one used.
Been in a good paddock I see Mr Tyrell 🙏🙌🦘
I don’t think anyone explains mechanical operations more clearly than Mr Tyrrell! Clear to anyone of with any level of knowledge!
Learned something about the differences between the types of Jaguar, nice car.
That was always the one I liked the most for old jags 👍👍
Thank you Iain, for sharing this with all of us. 👍
Very informative, lots of things I didn't know about this car.
Just watched Harry garage video got my cup of tea ready to watch Mr Iain Tyrrell ‘s video thank you so much keep up the amazing work looking forward to the future as always love the knowledge thank you very much
Tea. I am necking some red wine
I remember so many Mk1, Mk2 and S-Types living out their days sitting on streets rotting away because the owners couldn't afford the fuel or to pay to service them.
They all had worn rear brakes and U/S handbrake before being shipped to breakers to be banger raced or stripped of the engine and rear suspension for specials and hot rods.
My Dad who owned a garage wasn't a fan, was more a Ford man and thought them over complicated and the family arguments went on well into the night about the relative merits.
For me it's so nice to see some of these beauties survived, I always considered the XK engine a work of art.
Love the interior
Gold standard in Exotic car Video.
The S type was compromised by the metal (Pressed Steel Fishers) . I worked at the main dealers in Newcastle during the 60’s and it was rare not to see an S type with rust. We simply called them ‘rot boxes’. Thank heavens for that fabulous engine, lovely interior and Jaguar name.
Underrated car. How many were trashed in the Sweeney? Just throwaways in the 70s/80s and only now has the market woken up to the fact these have the style of the MK2 but with a much more sophisticated suspension set up.
At least 1 per episode!
@@paulhorton5612 Apparently for The Sweeney, they bought clapped-out S-Types, had their mechanics do them up so they would run for a while, and then thrashed the living daylights out of them and sent them to the scrapyard. Looking back, it was a crying shame that so many S-Types ended their days rolling over after crashing into warehouse pillars or milk churns, or driving into piles of sand on building sites.
@@Mortimer50145 I expect a lot of them also ended their days in demolition Derby’s etc…
It was so lovely to take a ride in the S-type.
I had one 1965 C after righting of a MK11 In the 60's . Still a Jag man XJ6. @71.
Thank you .
I had a Laycock overdrive on my 1982 Leyland Sherpa diesel. Must have been one of the last models it was used in...
Lovely colour, handsome car
My 1966 Mark 2 with its 2.4L automatic has so much ‘pulling’ power, my wife calls it my ‘chick’ magnet. I have rebuilt the engine and transmission from the ground up, it has a 3.4 head with twin SU’, a Series 1 XJ6 front axle with power steering and Series 1 disc brakes, replacing the smaller two pot calibers. With modern radial tyres the ride and handling are much improved. It has a complete unused Jaguar tool kit in its original metal case, wire wheels, metallic silver grey. Just needs the front drivers seat, recovered, red leather etc. also a respray. No rust, in Australia cars wear out engines, not bodies, the reverse of the UK. Mine has done 98,000 miles from new, owned by a lady driver, it has its complete log book and service records and user manual-I love it. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 👍😁🇦🇺🦘
This channel NEVER disappoints; about 25 years ago, I looked seriously at a few MKIIs and S-Types, they are my favorite vintage Jaguars. Thanks for the video, it was a delight.
Totally agree it’s quality content - I want Harry, Iain and Chris Harris to do a road trip !!
Ive always loved the MKII... I never knew about this model
25yrs ago it wasn't uncommon to see a mark sitting around languishing in storage yards here on the west coast of America needing to be refurbished but never seeming to get it, as if people loved them to much to scrap them yet they couldn't justify the high cost of refurbishing them
Ha, I bought one, an auto box in silverblue metallic in 1972 in Coventry UK so it was only ten years old for £50.00 YES. I still have the bonnet mascot which my sister dechromed for me. I was 23 years old then and daft so it slid off to the scrapyard after a few years rusting away in my garage. It was a bodge job at Jaguars to be able to use up the many body panels left in inventory from the last model, they stretched the rear end with longer rear doors. Happy days wish I still had it today.
Wow! I used to work for someone who had the same car. His once belonged to Indian royalty, was beaten up by use, sold back to Jaguar, and restored in England. He then bought it in England and it was shipped to the US. I hadn't thought about that car until I saw this video.
Nice video! Looks exactly like my 1966 3.8S in Opalescent Sand except mine is LHD and does not have a red interior. Love the sound of that 3.8!
Anyone who hasn't seen it there is a 1961 jaguar factory tour on TH-cam a must watch for any jaguar enthusiasts 😀👍
Very first car I ever drove around our paddock with my father I was all of eight at the time.
The S-Type video has made my day. My Dad had a 67 S-Type and I’ve loved them ever since. Lot’s of happy memories the best part of any day out was the Journey in the S-Type. Many thanks.
I am an outlier here: I don't own a car and have only ever owned a car on two occasions, first, an Austin Metro, second, and very briefly , a Rover 214.
However, in my heart this Jaguar is the car I would love to own and drive. It's elegant, luxurious, comfortable and ever so desirable.
Thanks for a great and simple explanation of complex engineering features.
There's just something special about Jaguars. Can't really put my finger on it but I really like them (although I've never owned one). Either way, car world would be really boring without them. Cheers. I subscribed and watched every single of your videos.
We simultaneously owned two of these beautiful "S" types from the mid '70's into the late '80's both 1966 manual overdrive, one a 3.4 S, the other a 3.8 S with chrome Dunlop wire wheels. The 3.4 was my wife's "shopping trolley", and because it had no power steering, her upper body work out exercise. The 3.8 was the family express, both great absolutely reliable vehicles for all the time we owned them, lots of family memories made, all bought back by your beautifully done review Iain, thankyou so much.
Anybody interested in real auto engineering, will find this very interesting indeed. Thank you. 🇬🇧👍U.K. metal knowledge very impressive and design.
My father bought an S Type after having a Mark 2 in period. I was too young too fully appreciate it, but I can remember being fascinated by the twin fuel tank dials; I think he was more than happy to purchase the new XJ6 when it came out, because the S Type used to drink like a fish and you could literally watch each the first fuel tank drain as you drove along and the second one took over.