Essentially the S-type is the first car on the route that took Sir William Lyons on to the XJ saloon of 1968. In between the S-type and the XJ6 was the 420, that has almost the front of the XJ, plus the rear of the S-type.


Of course the S-type cost more than the Mark 2, and fewer were made, so inevitably fewer are around now. Clearly the Mark 2 is the purer design, the S-type being a development off its basic body shell.


I still see S-types and the Daimler equivalent here at rallies in England, but they are few.

 

Fraser do you mean the Daimler 420 Sovereign? Because there was no S type Daimler version unless you mean my S type on which I fitted a Daimler MK2 grille and it looks awesome, but the rear curvature of the Daimler grille is more pronounced, the S type nose is flatter.

 

You're right, it's the Daimler 420 Sovereign, there weren't any Daimler S-types !


It is a sad fact of life that here in the UK at least, the S-type never gets the attention that the Mark 2 does. Nor do the Daimler versions get anything special either. Lets face it, they are badge-engineered Jaguars.

 

here's my experiment in pictures: First picture has the original S type Grille, the second picture has the Daimler MK-2 Grille.

 

In my view if the S-Type had the round rear wheel arches it would be a lot more attractive. With the round and square wheel arches it looks like two cars were made to make one car.

 

To me the rear fenders of the 3.8s look way cleaner than the MKII. I think the MKII looks unfinished on the rear fenders. The new custom MKII Callam did fixed that with more custom founded fender flares as the so called spat or fender lips for the stock old MKII's look to me also not clean as those and the stock show all the seams, etc. I think as someone said before the MKII had some more racing history and that with the large amount sold created a following but to me the 3.8s is a better car in performance and looks.

 

Had you paid $75K for a new luxury car, what would it be worth in 10 years time? Whereas your S type will be worth $35-50K?, as it has been fully restored and rustproofed. You will have had 10 years of enjoyable driving, in a car which is set up the way you like it, and probably more reliable than the newer car with complicated electronics.

 

Owning a classic car that has clean lines will always hold their value and likely go up in value versus depreciate like most newer cars that do not have the quality workmanship as they used prior to mid 70's. To me you build the car the way you want to please your taste and not matter what your tastes are if you always do things right and not skimp on costs and quality you will always at least get back what you put in. I do prefer the modern computer controlled fuel injected GM V8's as they are incredibly more reliable and trouble free than carburetors, points, etc. In less than two years I have put over 45,000 miles on my 3.8s Jaguar and am having so much fun. I have had numerous offers over what I have into the car but would never sell as to me you buy the car and build it to have fun...

 

Sorry about the late post, but you needed to get behind the wheel of and STR. You'd forget all about the "Taurus" rear panels.

 

I had an STR, I can fully agree with the above, they are an awesome bit of kit and in the UK very reasonable to purchase.