Lot details Registration No: 57 MHK Chassis No: 82001 Mot Expiry: March 2006
Commissioned by Martin Anthony Harvey in order to produce a motor vehicle without compromise in design or quality, and taking eight highly skilled craftsmen two years to design and three years to construct, this Buckingham was completed in 1985. With frontal, side and rear impact zone protection to protect occupants satisfying safety requirements, the right-hand drive, four-door, very sporting saloon was given British Ministry of Transport Type Approval.
Based on modern technology, but with classical coachwork, this unique vehicle is based on a high tensile steel chassis incorporating an integral stainless steel body frame with coachwork in hand-formed, double-skin and filled, aluminium panelling. Gull-wing rear doors with nitrogen-filled support struts ease entry into the back of the car. Door hinges have been made from stainless steel and bronze, the entire operating mechanism manufactured from solid stainless steel rods with stainless steel rose-joint bearings for durability and ease of operation. Door handles have been hand-crafted from brass and then heavily chromium-plated.
Jaguar 5.3-litre V12 engine and four-speed automatic transmission have been employed, both being said still to be as new. Braking is by high volume, servo-operated, dual-braking systems coupled with anti-dive geometry suspension and large ventilated discs to all wheels. Heavy-duty spoked wheels carry the vehicle to speeds in excess of 120mph. The rear-mounted spare wheel is located on the counter-balanced door to the luggage compartment.
The air-conditioned accommodation with electrically-operated windows is finished in champagne leather to seats, doors and headlining, black leather to the facia and rosewood trim, and is presently fitted with dual telephone system to front and rear and sixteen-speaker hi-fi. A discreet rear window affords a degree of privacy for rear seat passengers and security is enhanced by central-locking. The coachwork is painted two-tone in Burgundy and Champagne.
Interestingly, the claimed to be unique swan mascot, which depicts the symbol of Buckinghamshire, was designed by a prominent British artist and produced in solid brass. The Buckinghamshire badge was produced by Garrards, the Queen's jeweller, in gold and black enamel. Said to have been in receipt of 400 man hours skilled labour, the solid brass radiator grille has been coated with copper and burnished before being heavily chromium-plated.
Worldwide servicing of the major mechanical items would be available through the Jaguar dealer network and marque specialists. The last tax disc expired at the end of May 1987, since when the car has been carefully preserved in dry garaging. Offered very much as new, with chassis certainly still like new, body and paint both good and leather very good, this quite extraordinary sports saloon had only completed 286 miles when entered for this sale.
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