A QUICK CHAT WITH AN S-TYPE OWNER

Dedicated S-type fan Ian Boyd decided to make his better than new

1 Which Jaguar S-type do you own?

‘It’s a 1965 3.8 that I bought back in the early Seventies, by which time it already had rotten sills and floors! At the time, I sorted all that out and covered holes in the inner wings with glassfibre sheet to stop water getting into the interior. I then ran it as a daily driver until 1976, at which point it was completely worthless!

I finally got around to doing a full restoration in 2011.’

2 What are they like to work on?

‘I was lucky, as over the years I had stockpiled parts that can be pricey nowadays.

The S-type can be costly to restore when it comes to parts but I think it’s well worth your while joining any of the clubs where you’ll make contact with helpful owners. Oh, and spending time studying a good workshop manual is well worth it! Knowing how Jaguar put these cars together is absolutely essential.’

3 What are they like in modern traffic?

‘I have modified my S-type to make it easier for daily use. New cars stop so much better than classic cars do so I fitted four-pot Zeus front calipers and refurbished XJ6 ones on the rear. They were cheaper than just a set of the S-type pistons. Another upgrade was a Lucas D46 40amp generator - a period option and sensible since I was fitting spotlights. I added hazard lights and relays for everything.

Final touches included a new heated rear screen.’

4 What is it about the car you like so much?

‘It’s a typical Jag and carries with it all the wonderful traits they’re known for. The S-type has a lovely ride but it’s great on a country road too. The clutch is light and the ‘box is smooth – although I find the steering can feel a bit heavy at low speed.

The uprated brakes on mine are so much better than standard. I have a long history with this car, so it’s very satisfying to drive!’