Lot details
Registration No: V323HBH
Chassis No: SAJADOZE7YFLZ7183
Mot Expiry: May 2010

The S-Type Jaguar unveiled at the Birmingham motorshow of 1998 had strong echoes of the company's glorious past. Not only did it share the name of one of the company's popular '60s saloons, but the Geoff Lawson styling appeared to have been heavily influenced by an array of iconic Jaguar models from the same era - not least the immortal MKII. Even the car's factory was steeped in history - the Castle Bromwich plant having produced countless Spitfires and Lancasters during the second world war.

Jaguar was in Ford ownership when the 'new' S-Type came into being and they elected to base it on a modified Lincoln LS platform. The model was initially offered with the choice of Jaguar's 3.0-litre V6 unit (240bhp) or 4.0-litre V8 (282bhp) engine - either of which could be mated to a five-speed manual or five-speed J-gate automatic gearbox. The sumptuous interior was a typical Jaguar blend of leather and wood, intended to cosset and de-stress busy executives between meetings.

The model enjoyed a number of upgrades during its nine year reign, while the most potent version produced was the S-Type R, which joined the line-up in 2002. It was powered by a supercharged version of the company's 4.2-litre V8 and, with over 400bhp on tap, was intended to compete with such potent German opposition as the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. The model range was eventually superseded by the all-new XF in 2008.

The righthand drive S-Type on offer was built in 1999 - the first full year of production - and entered the current family ownership during 2002. It is finished in green and has a two-tone beige leather interior. It sports the 3.0-litre V6 engine option coupled to a five speed manual gearbox. V323 HBH's indicated mileage of just over 34,000 is thought to be correct and the car is MOT'd into May.