2017-04-10 13:12:08 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 3/17
www.bonhams.com/auctions/24118/lot/19/

Auction description:
Lot 19
1957 Jaguar Mk1 3.4-Litre Sports Saloon
Offered by order of the creditors of the late Terence J O'Reilly; the ex-Brown/Snusher/Arnold, 1958 Monte Carlo Rally
Sold for £189,660 (US$ 235,099) inc. premium
Goodwood Members' Meeting
19 Mar 2017, 14:00 GMT
Chichester, Goodwood
Registration no. 4938 VW
Chassis no. S-971263DN
*Matching chassis and engine numbers
*Extensive in-period and modern racing history
*Exceptionally original
*Eligible for the Goodwood Revival and many other prestigious events

The car offered here was ordered new by Essex-based garage owner Frank Brown, who wanted to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally, which Jaguar had won outright in 1956 with the MkVIIM. Supplied via R P Powell Motors Ltd, his car came equipped with the optional overdrive, disc brakes, wire wheels, and lead-bronze bottom-end bearing shells. The Mk1 was made available at a generous discount of 12½% (see copy invoice on file).

Completed on 26th September 1957, the Jaguar was registered with Brown's personal plate 'FWB 1', and in January 1958 set off for France carrying competitor number '258'. Brown's co-drivers were Edwin J Snusher and Graham Arnold. Sadly, the trio did not finish the rally, being forced to retire after an off-road excursion damaged the front suspension. Brown continued to compete with the Jaguar in hill climbs and sprints throughout 1959 and then sold the car to Snusher, who entered it the 1960 Monte Carlo and Tulip Rallies. However, the car was not registered in his name until 1962 when the current registration, '4938 VW', was issued (see copy of the original logbook on file). Snusher also used the Jaguar to tow his home-built Coventry Climax-engined sports-racer (the EJS Special), hence the two tow-bar grommets on the rear bumper.

The original logbook shows licensing up to 1967/68, after which the car appears to have remained in storage until Snusher sold it to well-known historic racer and Goodwood Revival regular, John Young, in 1982, complete with all of its special rallying accessories, spare sills, and a vast amount of history. Intending to compete in historic races, Young had the car repainted and overhauled, entrusting the mechanicals to Swallow Engineering; had the cylinder head gas-flowed, and mildly upgraded the brakes and rear suspension. Young raced, rallied, and used the Jaguar as a daily driver for a few years before parting with it in a deal that saw the car go to a Japanese collector.

After some 20 years in Japan, and following its owner's death, '4938 VW' was back in the UK and for sale at auction, where it was purchased for a second time by John Young. The car appeared to have seen little use over the intervening period, though the interior had deteriorated somewhat and all the history had gone missing. Fortunately, the many original rallying modifications were still present. After mild refreshment, new Dunlop racing tyres, and the installation of a less noisy exhaust (required for Goodwood), the Jaguar was ready to resume its competition career. In the modern era, it has raced at the Nürburgring, Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Snetterton, Castle Coombe, Donington Park, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch.
While back in John Young's possession, '4938 VW' was tested at Goodwood by Octane magazine's Mark Hales, a copy of whose article is on file. In 2012 Young sold the Jaguar to JD Classics, who sold it to the late Terence O'Reilly in 2013.

Unlike so many old racers, which have been rebuilt and upgraded over the years, often more than once, this historic Jaguar saloon remains remarkably original, its body never having been apart. Eligible for some of the world's most prestigious motor sports events, this remarkable competition car has a wonderful history and a delightful patina.

2018-02-24 18:23:07 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/895/blue_chip_competition_cars/jaguar_mark_1_3_4l. ...

Sellers description:
This example was ordered by Essex based garage owner Frank Brown in 1957 via R P Powell Motors Ltd. Mr Brown intended to use the car to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally and so specified a number of options including Disc Brakes, Wire Wheels and Lead Bronze bottom-end bearings. Remarkably Mr Brown was given the generous discount of 12.5% from the total bill.

In September 1957 it was completed and registered with Brown's personalised registration plate "FWB 1". Shortly after in January 1958, Brown set off for Paris to start the Monte Carlo Rally alongside co driver Graham Arnold and an additional crew member Edwin J Snusher. Unfortunately Brown and his crew did not complete the rally and retired due to front suspension damage. Brown continued to compete in the Mk1 throughout his ownership in a number of sprints and hill climbs before selling the car to Edwin Snusher in 1959. Snusher continued the cars competitive streak and entered it in both the Monte Carlo and Tulip Rallies in 1960. Despite Snusher purchasing the car in 1959, it wasn't until 1962 that the title was transferred into his name and the registration '4938 VW' assigned. Like Brown Snusher was a keen racer and when not competing in the Mk1 he used it to tow his home built Coventry Climax engine sports car (the EJS Special).

Snusher would remain the owner until 1982 when it was subsequently sold to well-known historic racer and Goodwood frequent Mr John Young still equipped with its rallying accessories. Shortly after John subjected the car to a comprehensive restoration by Swallow Engineering with a number of improvements being carried out. To improve engine performance the cylinder head was gas-flowed as well as upgrading the brakes and suspension. Testament to the depth of restoration John spent over £10,000 on the car at a time where good Mk1 Jaguars were fetching just £3,000. John resurrected the Mk1s racing career where Snusher had left off and entered it into the Oldtimer GP at the Nurburgring. Despite being inferior to the front running cars John managed to run close to the front.

John parted with the Mk1 when the opportunity arose to purchase the ex-Jack Lambert E-Type in 1987. Sadly in order to purchase the E-Type John had to part with either his Porsche Carrera or the 3.4. Dealer Straight Six proposed a firm offer for the Mk1 and so it was subsequently sold to a Japanese collector who would keep it in his private collection for 20 years seeing very little use. Following its owner's death the Mk1 was returned to the UK with its original rallying modifications still present, and sold at auction where it was purchased for the second time by John Young. Once again Young subject the car to a comprehensive restoration before entering it into a number of competitions. During its modern stint of racing John competed with the car at the Nurburgring, Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Snetterton, Castle Combe, Donington Park, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch. During John's ownership it has featured in a number of magazine articles all accompanying the cars history file.

In 2013 it was sold via dealer to the late Terence O'Reily. JD Classics would fastidiously maintain this exceptional car during Terence's ownership until it was subsequently purchased by its current owner. During this most stress free ownership it has been maintained with no expense spared by DK Engineering and is currently in the process of being awarded HTP papers. Contained within the history file is evidence of its most exciting racing career and ownership records. The file contains copies of many rare documents such as order forms, 'Buff' logbook, and historic racing memorabilia from its early racing life.

Eligible for some of the world's most distinguished racing events including the Tour Auto and Goodwood, this Mk1 is ready to be used and enjoyed immediately continuing its fine racing pedigree.