CALIFORNIACLASSIX Fabulous V8-Powered 1959 Jaguar MK I

1959 Jaguar Other Description

In a sea of sports cars and sporty coupés,

very few classic four-door sedans stand out as true drivers' cars. The Jaguar MKI and MKII models are among those few as they are sports cars for the family man who demands style and performance in one attractive package.

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The 1959 Jaguar MKI featured here is one of those rare birds. Utmost modern when introduced, t's equipped with power steering and new-for-1959 4-wheel disc brakes, sensation at the time when even the contemporary Mercedes 300SL and Porsche 356 had drums on all four corners.

Built for cold and rainy England, aguar's long-stoke inline six cylinders are prone to overheating when driven in hot climates, ore so in stop-and-go traffic.
American ingenuity to the rescue!

This British feline has received an American heart. A Chevrolet small block, opped off by a new Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and mated to a GM 350 transmission makes for a bulletproof combination. The engine is healthy as the proverbial ox, tarts on the button, nd runs smoothly without any oil leaks or ill behavior to report.

Jaguar's body is straight and healthy and looks just "right" with the factory steel wheels and dog-dish style hub caps.
Front tires are very good, ear tires are brand new.

The silvermetallic paint is older and quite presentable. Aside from a heat bubble on the bonnet and some isolated spots on one of the doors and near the rear bumper, here's nothing that destracts from its beautiful appearance.

Interior has been reupholstered in gray velours.

Check out the bottom of the door: no rust!

A highlight of every classic Jaguar is the burled walnut dashboard, nd the Mark I's is quite stunning!

With the exception of the clock, hich shows the correct time only twice a day, ll of the beautiful SMITHS gauges work!
Below the dash, ou'll see the original sliding shifter for the automatic transmission. Cool, uh?

Plush front seats allow comfy seating for two, hree if needed, s there's no stick poking out of the floor pan.

Three more passengers can travel in style in the back quarters. A sports car for the family man, ndeed!

The car comes with a clear California title, urrent California license plates, nd the XKs Unlimited license plate frame shown.
All lights work as they should.

Trunk is healthy as well, ith no spray can artistry evident to hide anything.

Spare wheel well is perfect, orrosion and dent free. Spare (not shown) is matching.

A highlight is the Jag's healthy and rust free undercarriage. Note that the dual exhaust system has been retained.

So what's it like to drive this iconic Jaguar? We are about to find out.
Blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s on February 18the made for fabulous conditions to take the cat through its paces and snap some photos along the way.

Pull the choke lever out a bit, ush in the somewhat hidden starter button, nd the motor immediately fires and settles into a mellow idle. Put the gear selector lever into "D" and you're on your way.

Handling is much better than that found on many of the Jaguar's contemporaries. Back in its day, he Mark I set the benchmark for a gentleman's personal car that allowed spirited driving in utter comfort and style. Today, 6 years later, t still holds up very well in contemporary terms, o well, ndeed, hat it could serve as a stylish daily driver.

Although by no means a perfect car, uch money and effort has been invested to turn this rare survivor into a car that's pleasant to live with. A California car much of its life, t has been spared the dreaded tin worm. With a straight and accident free body, ullet-proof drive train and sound mechanicals, t is destined to outlive most of the computerized cars of the new Millennium.

With prices for nice MkIIs hovering in stratospheric regions, ore and more aficionados discover that the MKI is actually the more stylish car. The better value for the money it has always been, nd if you like the idea of owning a British-American hybrid, his cat will put a smile on your face every time you open the garage door.

You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine Jaguar in Ventura, by appointment, uring the auction, r have someone inspect it for you. Please, erform your due diligence before you bid.

Please, ote that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time.

Please, irect all inquiries to bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at 805-653-5551.

• By bidding in this auction, ou declare that you have read and accept the Terms of this Sale as outlined below.
• If you have any questions, lease ask them before you bid. After the auction has ended, he sale is final.
• Please, nly bid on this car if you are serious about owning it and have the necessary funds readily available!
  We require a $1,000 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days, nless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction.
• The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title. It is smog exempt and sold "as is, where is" with no warranty stated or implied. Mileage stated above is the current odometer reading. License plate shown for photographic purposes only.
• You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies.
• We ship worldwide.

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