‘Finding the right cars wasn’t difficult – I didn’t have to look for any others’

Your tales of the latest classic car deals. This week, how one reader got bitten by the bug in lockdown not once, but twice!

What made you want a Jaguar S-type and a Mercedes SLK230?

I bought a classic car because I lost my car 12 months ago due to the pandemic and I wanted something with style something which I feel the modern cars within my limited budget were sadly lacking! I’ve always had a keen interest in classic cars. I’ve loved the old Jaguars ever since my dad brought a Series 2 XJ12 home in the late 1970s. I bought the SLK after reading great reports in CCW.

Tell us about them.

My Jaguar is my perfect colour combination – British Racing Green with a biscuit interior. It’s totally original, which is important for me. It has a full service history and the mileage is a sensible 97,000. The SLK is also totally original, with a full history and only 52,000 miles. Finding them both wasn’t difficult, as they were the first I viewed, so I was very lucky both times.

Why did you pick these specific examples? Did you see any others?

I bought the Jaguar from an auction house which was waiting for auctions to start again because of Covid. To get the SLK I wanted, I searched nationwide and to be sure everything was right I paid for a mechanic’s report and then delivery.

Have they been a joy to own?

I’m delighted with both cars. The Jaguar is in beautiful condition – the interior is like new. It is a great example of the proverbial ‘a lot of car for the money’! The SLK is also immaculate. I had a stage two paint correction done and since then it gleams. The Jaguar is a revelation. I’ve had brand-new £30,000+ BMWS in the past but the Jaguar’s refinement is in a different league. Such a beauty to drive. The SLK is more of a fun car – great for summer.

What are your plans for them now?

The Jaguar is my daily driver and the SLK will be my fun summer car. I’m also looking forward to showing them at classic car shows over spring and summer. I have trips to North Wales and York already pencilled in. Hopefully no work will set me back in my plans because we’ve all waited long enough to get back out enjoying our shows.