1960 Jaguar Mark IX Saloon

• The last of Jaguar's separate-chassis saloons
• Matching chassis and engine numbers
• Automatic transmission
• Present ownership since circa 2013
• Comprehensive restoration completed in 2018
• circa 2,500 miles since restoration

Work on Jaguar's new advanced saloon had been interrupted by the war, and it was not until 1950 that the design saw the light of day as the Mark VII. A considerable improvement on what had gone before, the cruciform-braced chassis featured torsion-bar independent front suspension and all-round hydraulic brakes. The 3.4-litre six-cylinder XK engine had already demonstrated its prowess in the XK120 sports car and proved capable of propelling the Mark VII's not inconsiderable bulk past 100mph. Developed and refined through Marks VIIM and VIII, the last word in Jaguar's large, separate-chassis saloons - the Mark IX - appeared in 1958, by which time the 220bhp version of the 3.8-litre XK six was standard equipment together with power-assisted steering and all-disc braking. A choice of manual or automatic transmissions was offered, the latter option, which is fitted to the car offered here, being by far the most popular.

Motor magazine wound its test Mark IX up to 114mph and was equally impressed by the performance of the car's disc brakes: "Should the driver wish to pass any other road user travelling at 100mph he can do so with a margin of some 15mph and should he wish to get down from 100mph to 30mph he can do so infallibly within 15 car lengths on a dry road." Production of the Mark IX ceased in 1961.

This imposing Jaguar MkIX saloon was delivered new in June 1960 finished in black over claret with a grey interior. The supplying dealer was Central Motors Limited of Sheffield and the original distributor was Ernest W Hatfield of Sheffield. Central Motors sold the Jaguar to its first owner, John Peters Limited of Sheffield and Leeds. The car was intended for the use of the group's chairman, Manny Cussins, who would go on to serve as Leeds United Football Club's chairman from 1972 to 1983. The second owner ran the car for only a short period, hence the low recorded mileage of 38,670.

Our vendor acquired the car in Sheffield, where it had spent most of its life, some 12 years ago and kept it for three years before commencing a complete restoration. The refurbishment was completed by 2018, since when only some 2,500 miles have been covered. During the rebuild the electrical polarity was changed from positive to negative; all brake calipers upgraded with Coopercraft units; and an updated fan blade unit installed.