MARKET WATCH

Tony Brown takes a look at some of the most tempting cars for sale and report on others that have sold – from affordable classics through to premium-priced gems

As-new 1976 XJ12, with but 12k miles for $10k An S1 XJ6 manual completely rebuilt in 1999 and garaged from 2001

The New Year brings in a new set of resolutions and sometimes wishes come true, so here’s wishing each and every one of us a year to remember. Towards the end of last year, I came across this superb gem, a 1976 S2 XJ12, one owner, and as one can see, in an almost new condition. One owner from new, it had been acquired by the world-famous Gas Monkey Garage and was part of the garage collection, but, if you know the show, some cars don’t stay long, and this was auctioned with no reserve by Bring a Trailer. Only 12,000 miles from new, and being from Texas, this car has to be rust free, and the winning buyer not only got the car but a trip to the famous garage and the complete tour. Would you have paid $10,000 for the package? I hope the high bidder has a great time.

Mathewsons in Yorkshire are well known for their no-nonsense approach to selling cars, as one can discern from their ‘Bangers and Cash’ TV programme. Their collection of cars for sale ranges from “for spares only” to some rather sparkly diamonds, and this one looks to be, if not a diamond, a good example of an honest car. A S1 XJ6, and manual/ overdrive to boot, this car was given a nut and bolt rebuild in 1999, used for two years, and then stored away until 2022 when it was recommissioned and taxed, and offered complete with a fresh MOT until June 2023. The dashboard looks to have had a coat of lacquer, but overall, the car presents well and given the condition was hammered down for a very reasonable £8,000. Just right for those Sunday runs out with ‘er indoors when the English weather, as is often the case, does not suit a convertible.

I now turn to a car, also sold by Mathewsons, which I find to be a strange conundrum. A 1992 4-litre Sovereign, in sparkling red, first registered in 1992 but – no history, none at all! Its first MOT shows 12 miles in 2021, and in 2022 a mere 201 miles. It clearly is in an as-new condition, the interior being spotless,

Under-bonnet image of the 1992 Jaguar Sovereign

the engine compartment too, no scuff marks nor scratches on the sill plates – everything about this car is time-warp, as though it was purchased, vacuum packed, and then locked away for nearly 30 years. My first thought was that it had must have been lovingly rebuilt, but it is too good for that, it really is. Just look at the under-bonnet photo which shows just as well as the exterior. A very curious case, with no mention of any history made by the auction house. But, as a unique car, £4,200 was not really that expensive at all.

Turning to a modern classic, I came across this 1998 Sovereign 4-litre V8 which piqued my interest for one reason. Why did it sell for only £1,310? One owner for seventeen years, traveled around Europe many times, new timing chain tensioners, head lining and water pump, and, alright, 150,000 miles but the way things are going you can’t buy a meal for four at McDonalds for much less than that. It failed its MOT in February 2022 with a few electronic problems, but a month later it passed with no advisories. Surely worth a punt as a runabout?

We all know how it is; a friend buys a project which “will be on the road in eighteen months”. We snigger behind his back, and as the years pass by the project has now become “something to do when I retire”. But if the truth is known either they bit off more than they could chew or bluntly lost interest. H&H recently had just such a project, an S1 E-type coupe, and in the 21-year ownership it is true that a great deal had been done; over a four-year period, work included a full engine overhaul to a ‘fast road’ specification with a 'big valve' head from a Jaguar Series 3 XJ mated to brand new triple Weber carburettors and new inlet manifold. The rear axle cage has been totally restored with an overhauled LSD axle, overhauled brake calipers and drive shafts etc. The body was bare-metalled and resprayed in gunmetal (originally golden sand), and as is often the case some parts had gone missing, including the starter motor (a chance to fit a modern high-torque one then), alternator and of all things the steering column. All chrome parts are there and a number of other new parts too. Now the S1 4.2 is a great car, having better seats, negative earth, and importantly the Jaguar all-synchro gear box, and a refurbished one was sold recently for just over £100,000 at auction, but many are unsold due to overambitious reserves. There was, during 2022, many a car which found a new owner for under £75,000. A far cry from the prices in 2017 it must be said! Now the hammer fell on this example at £48,375 and probably went to a dealer, and it won’t take that long to finish off. The seats are there but well-worn, and probably a new trim kit will be fitted, but Aldridge’s will want £3,500 for that, so in one stroke of the pen we are past £50,000. All the photos – and they are numerous – show nearly all parts refurbished, but there are many man hours of toil needed to turn this duckling into a beautiful swan. If it was bought by a privateer, he will finish with a superb car worth far more than he has invested in it. Best of luck sir!

Finally, it has been a while since I wrote about memorabilia, so I was eagerly awaiting the Revival sale which always has a very good selection of bit and pieces. Some “the usual suspects”, such as Wicker picnic hampers fetching from £500 to £5,000, and they all sold, through the plastic Esso Junior Drip advertising figure for over £1,000, a Champion spark plug garage thermometer selling for £1,500 (I bought a KLG one for £20 years back). But to show that some things can be a real ‘negative investment’ I’ll finish with a photo of my Rene Lalique 1930 bonnet mascot, known as “Chrysis”. I bought this nearly thirty years ago at the Silverstone Classic. It’s worth less than I paid for it now. Fashions change… Happy motoring! ■

All major work has been done, but this S1 E coupe is still a long way from the finishing line 1998 Sovereign sells for £1,310. 150,000 miles, but looks ready to roll

One of the numerous ‘negative investments’ - My Lalique “Chrysis”