1959 Jaguar Mk IX

Just as Bentley products gained fame from competition exploits in the late nineteen- twenties and thirties, so Jaguar rose to fame after the war with their XK sport cars taking top honours on the racetrack, and their saloon cars revelling in the rallies of the fifties and sixties, particularly on the Monte Carlo and Alpine contests.. Of particular merit were the substantial Mk VIIs and Mk VIIIs from which in 1959 followed the Mk IX, with all the sporting panache but encompassing much luxury, including power steering, walnut dashboard and door cappings and full leather seats. The boundless performance was courtesy of the race proved 3.8 litre twin cam engine but much refined to provide a modicum of dignity, a heady mixture which was hard to emulate. Four wheel servo assisted disc brakes were provided for confident stopping if required.

This 1959 Mk IX with matching numbers has an exceptional documented history. The Jaguar was supplied new to Henleys in January 1960 and its first custodians were Mr and Mrs Tritton of Grosvenor Square, and of Godmersham in Kent, an Estate once owned by Edward (Austen) Knight, the brother of Jane Austen. Mrs Tritton was an American socialite and was chauffeured between her homes in the Mk IX; it is understood that it was her who instructed the fitting of the Mk X hubcaps and the Harry Moss air horns (for the London traffic!) still on the car today.

The Mk IX was serviced by Ashford Service Station and the proprietor of the business became the second owner in the late sixties. In 1973, American tourist Larry Good spotted the Jaguar for sale and promptly purchased it, so the motor car made its way to Kansas in the same year. Much expense and care was lavished on the British classic, including a restoration in 1991, and it was often proudly exhibited in State shows. Mr Good owned the motor car for forty years and after his passing, custodianship moved to an Essex expat residing in Texas. In 2017, the current, fifth and final owner repatriated the Mk IX to the UK and to Dorset, where it again has been treasured and has participated with success in shows and concours events. A Gaydon issued heritage certificate has been obtained, and DVLA has reinstated the original registration number (the original plates had been stowed under a seat during the Jaguar’s time in America). Since 2018, over £2800 has been spent on the mechanical aspect of the Jaguar with local specialists Sigma Engineering.

The Mk IX remains in beautiful and difficult to fault condition and as a result, has won best car at a recent Footman James Classic Vehicle Restoration Show. The interior is original and as perfect as it could be for a motor car of that age, the engine bay is immaculate, and the bodywork and panel fit is excellent. Mechanically, we are told that it drives as one would expect. The original grease gun and tool kits are still stowed in the lower interior of both front doors.

There is a large history with this Jaguar; in summary, the file includes an original Mk IX advert, an original sales brochure, an original Jaguar official distributor booklet from 1959, a Jaguar Drivers’ Club prospectus pamphlet possibly from the early sixties, an Autopress manual, the 1973 bill of sale from the Ashford garage to Mr Good for £100 plus a delivery note for the car, lots of correspondence from Mr Good regarding the shipment and registration of the Jaguar in the USA, quotations and invoices obtained during the third ownership (including for the 1991 restoration), many photographs loose and in an album, further invoices from the fourth ownership, correspondence between the fourth and current owners, a US Auto Appraisal Network valuation, official UK import and duty correspondence, the aforesaid Jaguar Heritage Certificate, DVLA correspondence regarding the re-registering of the motor car in the UK, invoices from the current ownership, the V5C registration certificate and its replacement, and others.

Auction Date: 9 March 2023