2011-11-14 06:52:40 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 11/14/11
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-MK10-3-8-Automatic-Saloon-/150698339706
Classified ad asking $13,500.

Sellers description:
This is a 1963 Jaguar MK10, VIN 350539BW. It is an early example of this big saloon. It has the 9.1:1 CR engine with triple SU carbs like the E-type. Only difference is the air cleaner assembly and the automatic choke.

The car has recently had the carbs rebuild and tuned. It starts on the button with the choke. It idles and drives w/o hick-ups. We have replaced the fan belts, suspension mounts (front and rear), brake hoses, front calipers, exhaust (NOS UK made exhaust for this car). It has less than 80K original miles. No smoke, oil leaks or unusual engine noises. Transmission shifts nice. I have only driven it around my neighborhood as it is not registered. It has a LSD differential that is nice and quiet. All fluids are new and the oil that came out of the engine and transmission where incredibly clean!

The gas tanks need to be cleaned still. I have removed one and started to clean it. It was full of junk and the in-tanks fuel pumps are bad. I have retro-fitted a Facet pump which works fine. I currently start the car from a gas container. It is now "pickled" for the winter. The tanks are very solid and not rusted, just dirty inside.

I have focused on all the mechanicals of the car and everything checks out good. The only thing left to do mechanically is to check the charging system. I think the generator may need to be serviced. I installed new brushes and re-polarized it but I still get no charge. This week I started the car and saw some antifreeze leaking from the water pump I believe. It ran fine all summer and the leak appears to be from the water pump. I am not surprised as it probably the original one that came on the car. The car was parked for over a decade before I started to revive it.
Previous woner bought the car 12/69. It is a 3 owner car.

The body is stunningly rust free. The paint is bad and it will require new body seals and a good paint job. There is some surface rust where paint has flaked off. There are some very small spots of rust on the rear wheel opening arches. They don't look to be extensive and repairs should not be terribly hard for a good body man. The floors are solid and also the trunk. The undercoating is still as when it left Jaguar. The only area where metal reconstruction is needed is on both sides in the back by the jack points. There is box area that can be removed below the floor and refabricated (see pictures). There is a big hole (design flaw in my opinion) that that can collect water and mud. This is exactly why this area has rusted. For the rest it is paint prep. The body is straight with beautiful door gaps. Who said the Brits could not build cars with good fitting body sections back in the 60s?

The interior is complete and show heavy "patina". I would not retrim the car. A good fresh up with a lot of leather conditioning should bring it back to a lovely usable condition. The front seats has a piece of non-matching vinyl that I would replace. The carpeting and headliner can also use a good shampooing. Again, I would not replace these. They are original and intact. The interior wood can use some refinishing. All windows work. The radio is original and works. Chrome can be polished but has small spots on it. All electricals work! Again, this car shows patina but is far from gone.

This a great car to restore and to enjoy. They are nicer than the later 420G. I have not seen to many early MK10s. This one ought to be saved as it so solid. I just have no space to keep her dry as I have 4 other project cars in my garage. I brought her back to life as it probably would have ended up crushed. I grew up with Jaguars and was not afraid to get her running again when the car was offered to me.

The car is in Connecticut, USA.
Due to the rarity (car # 539 being quite early) and the fact that it is very solid, complete and running w/o missing any parts, I am not negotiable on the price. You can probaly purchase a rust bucket with missing bits for much less that will probably cost more if time, effort, $$ to restore. This is an unadulterated original condition car.