2026-08-13 20:01:49 | pauls writes:

Car on BaT

bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-frua-jaguar-3-8s/

1965 Jaguar S-Type 3.8 Coupe by Frua

Seller: classiccargallery

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut 06605

Chassis: 1B78869DN

One-Off Coachwork by Frua

2,500 Miles Shown, TMU

3.8-Liter Inline-Six

Dual SU Carburetors

Four-Speed Manual Gearbox w/ OD

Light Blue Paint

Tan Leather Upholstery

15" Knock-Off Wire Wheels

Four-Wheel Disc Brakes

Wood-Rimmed Steering Wheel

Smiths Instrumentation

Burl Wood Veneer Trim

Aftermarket Stereo System

Private Party or Dealer: Dealer

Lot #258925

This two-door coupe is the sole example constructed as a styling exercise by Pietro Frua utilizing one-off steel bodywork over a 1965 Jaguar S-Type chassis and running gear. The car debuted at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, and is noted to have been acquired by Italian industrialist Signor Francesco Respino before ownership transferred in the late 1960s to Swiss motorcycle racer Hans Halderman. It was relocated to the UK in the 1980s, where it remained under the care of two owners before being refurbished in the 1990s, reportedly by Jaguar specialist Ernie Knott at a cost of over £120k. The car is said to have remained in a collection with one steward for the subsequent two decades, and it was displayed at the Salon Privé Concours in 2018 and Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace in 2024 before being imported to the US in 2025. Refinished in light blue, the car is powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. It rides on 15″ knock-off wire wheels and is further equipped with independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Inside, seating for four trimmed in tan leather is accompanied by burl wood trim, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, Smiths instrumentation, and an aftermarket stereo system. Acquired by the selling dealer around one year ago, this Frua-bodied Jaguar S-Type is now offered with Connecticut registration.

The left-hand-drive S-Type rolling chassis was supplied by Jaguar in December 1965 to Frua’s studio in Turin via the Milan-based importer Fattori e Montani. The two-door coupe debuted just three months later at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show with styling including a bespoke bright grille with inset fog lamps, a raised cowl vent, slim pillars, horizontal taillights, and a wrap-around rear window and chrome bumpers.

The body was repainted in British Racing Green prior to the 1980s and again as part of the aforementioned refurbishment completed in the 1990s, reportedly in Opalescent Silver Blue, which is noted to be its original color. The car retains Jaguar and Frua badging, and the leaper hood ornament was re-installed by the current owner.

Chrome-finished 15″ wire wheels are secured via two-eared Jaguar knock-off hubs and are mounted with 195-series Dunlop SP Sport tires. The car rides on fully independent suspension and is further equipped with power steering and four-wheel disc brakes with inboard-mounted rear units.

The cabin was reupholstered during the refurbishment and houses individual front seats and a rear bench trimmed in tan leather that extends to the center console and door panels. Burl wood veneers adorn the dashboard as well as the door caps and window surrounds. Blue floor mats top the beige carpets, and additional appointments include shoulder belts for the front occupants, a Jaguar-branded wooden shift knob, and a Blaupunkt push-button radio that conceals a JVC stereo system linked with a trunk-mounted disc changer.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset clock, and auxiliary gauges monitoring water temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. A Lucas ammeter is also among the cluster. The five-digit odometer shows 2,500 miles, and total mileage is unknown.

The 3.8-liter DOHC inline-six is fed by twin SU carburetors and was rated at 220 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine was equipped with a custom airbox when new to accommodate the lower hood line.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The car is further equipped with a dual exhaust system.

The car is being sold on its Connecticut registration, which serves as an ownership document in Connecticut and lists “Antique” in the Registered Usage section.