This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, Supercar Fest Sale of Iconic and Classic Cars 2024 on Saturday the 18th of May, Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN. Racing driver John Coombs' name will forever be linked with that of Jaguar, his MkI and Mk2 saloons being at the forefront of British saloon car racing throughout the late 1950s/early 1960s. He gave up competitive driving to concentrate on running his Guildford-based Jaguar dealership, making the benefit of his experience available to customers, and over the next seven years they modified between 30 and 40 Mk2s.
Essentially, the Coombs conversion consisted of an uprated engine matched by steering and suspension modifications, but the company offered a plethora of options from which customers could choose. They included an additional fuel tank, a wood-rim steering wheel and a chrome plated boot rack. Coombs would also modify the rear wheel arches, removing the spats and making up rolled edges to match the profile of the front wheel arches. The primary objective of this was to improve access for wheel changing during motorsport events, but the modification improved the appearance of the car so much that it is surprising Jaguar themselves did not adopt the modification for production cars. Not all the Coombs cars had the same state of tune, but the typical engine had 9:1 compression pistons, a lightened flywheel and a different carburettor air-intake system. The whole bottom-end assembly would be balanced and the cylinder head would be gas-flowed. A number of Coombs-style cars feature a louvred bonnet but this was not an advertised option in the early days.
The classic 3.8-litre Mk2 offered here has been restored and rebuilt in the style of those 1960s John Coombs cars. A Jaguar/Daimler Dating Letter on file reveals that chassis #233517 was originally finished in Jaguar Dark Blue with light blue trim (the same as it is today) and was retailed through Henlys, being first registered as HPA 700C, the registration it wears today.The car's history is not known prior to 1992 when it was acquired by a Mr Vann and it was he that commissioned its restoration. The no expense spared rebuild was commenced by marque specialists, Three Point Four, and completed in November 1997 by Scott-Moncrieff. Its specification includes a rebuilt, balanced and tuned engine, 2" SU carburettors on matching manifolds, front anti-roll bar, Koni shock absorbers, uprated coil springs at the front, 'Coombs'-type rear wheel arches, 'Coombs'-type chromed wire wheels a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel, Pioneer stereo system and discreet period style circular mirrors to the window frames. It's believed that the car was subsequently re-trimmed by renowned experts Suffolk & Turley.
The Jaguar remained with Mr Vann for the next 20-or-so years before being sold to the owner prior to our vendor who appears to have fastidiously maintained it by the number of Red Triangle bills on file. Included in the fascinating history file are many bills from Scott-Moncrieff for the rebuild and also a photographic record of the restoration, old MOT Certificates, a copy of a sales invoice dated 22nd April 2016 from Runnymede Motor Company and more recent Invoices from Red Triangle for various works on the car during 2016/2017.
Most recently this car last sold in July 2020 at auction for £51,750 but appears to have never been driven by its new owner (a US-resident) and committed to secure storage. The Jaguar has recently emerged from those four years of storage so an element of recommissioning is to be expected.
Excitingly offered at No Reserve, we encourage your inspection at our Supercar Fest Sale of Iconic and Classic Cars.