1967 Jaguar 420

Lot details
Registration No: KHO660E
Chassis No: PIF2529BW
Mot Expiry: July 2009

H&H are indebted to the vendor for the following description: "This car was commissioned by Admiral of the Fleet Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in 1967 just twelve years before his assassination. It is painted in non-standard 'Mountbatten Blue' (see Heritage Certificate) as all his cars were. Interestingly, the Certificate shows the original owner as 'Not Recorded'. This was standard procedure for members of the Royal Family to confer anonymity. However, the original green logbook bears his signature (added post-sale when security was unnecessary). The car was built to special order including one of the first heated front windscreens and a head restraint on the front passenger seat for when he was being chauffer driven. Although, he certainly took the wheel himself being a keen automobilist (see letter on file). The engine has always been thought more responsive and rapid than standard but no record exists of any request for modification. The roof still carries the original chrome mounting for the Royal Crown emblem which was exhibited when on official business. Lord Mountbatten's crest is present on the front doors as per original. The fascinating history file contains details of the restoration work undertaken in 1982, letters written by his daughter Lady Pamela Hicks from the Broadlands estate, additional correspondence from the family's summer retreat in the Bahamas (referring to the then annual visit by Prince Charles and Princess Diana), a missive from the Prince of Wales secretary at Buckingham Palace and another from Lord Mountbatten's grandson. Lord Mountbatten appears to have been a keen Jaguar enthusiast and this example must surely be THE most unique 420 (itself a very underrated but increasingly desirable model). This historic car currently belongs to a Yorkshire collector moving abroad, has been maintained regularly and will have been driven to the sale. One for the shrewd connoisseur".