2026-08-31 00:29:34 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 10/26

cars.bonhams.com/auction/31857/preview-lot/6182235/1959-jaguar-mk1-saloon/

1959 Jaguar Mk1 Saloon Registration no. UFF 325

Estimate: £30,000 - £50,000 US$41,000 - US$68,000

From the TV show 'Endeavour'

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia, 19 September 2026, Chichester, Goodwood

Registration no. UFF 325

Chassis no. S915622DN

• Property of a deceased's estate

• Present ownership since 1994

• 3.8-litre engine and all-synchromesh overdrive gearbox

• Other desirable upgrades

Fans of the 'Inspector Morse' TV-show prequel 'Endeavour' will instantly recognise 'UFF 325' as the Jaguar Mk1 saloon driven in the pilot of the show by the young Morse, played by Shaun Evans.

The late owner thought he had bought a bargain when he acquired the car in August 1994 as a road going project from a garage in Chelsea. It had been advertised as an uprated Jaguar with lots of potential! He set about rescuing the Jaguar from the clutches of the local breaker's yard and went on to spend many happy hours burning the midnight oil to bring it back to the road. The previous owner had replaced the original 2.4-litre engine with the more powerful 3.8-litre unit from a Jaguar S-Type saloon which was rebuilt in 2005.

'UFF 325' also has the S-Type's all-synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, plus various other upgrades, including a high-torque starter motor. During restoration the steel wheels were replaced with the current wires; the interior re-trimmed in red leather; the interior woodwork repolished (all 27 pieces completed over one Christmas period); a new limited-slip wide rear axle installed; an uprated servo fitted; and the front suspension beefed up with Harvey Bailey front springs and anti-roll bar.

In 2012, 'UFF 325' appeared on Britain's TV screens, set against the backdrop of Oxford's majestic spires and driven by the fictional Detective Constable Morse (as he then was). (Morse had already been established as a Jaguar devotee, driving a red Mk2 in the original 'Inspector Morse' TV series.) According to the late owner, actor Shaun Evans, who played the lead role, took to driving 'UFF 325' like a duck to water. There were no major issues encountered while filming, although the car had to be made to look less shiny, which was achieved by spraying it with Pledge polish and a mixture of dust and water, much to the owner's dismay. Not surprisingly, the 'Endeavour' Mk1 has proved to be very popular for weddings in the following years since, being much admired and photographed. In 2022 'UFF 325' featured in a lengthy article in Octane magazine's October edition (copy on file). A rare opportunity to acquire a magazine featured star of the screen.