Like all great car manufacturers, Jaguar is the vision of one ambitious man. Sir William Lyons was his name and friends used to call him Mr. Jaguar because he lived and breathed Jaguar. He’s also credited with designing cars, including the Mark X here.
I admit that my favorite Lyons-penned Jaguar is the Mark II, but the Mark X is in a different league. It’s bigger, more opulent, and more comfortable. Until the XJ6 came out in 1968, the luxurious Mark X was the Jag to have.
And yes, Mr. Jaguar himself had a Mark X. The big cat you’re looking at had been used by Sir William Lyons as his daily driver until mid-1965. Finished in December 1961 to the head honcho’s own specification and delivered to him in January 1962, this Jaguar Mark X is one of the very first units produced.
In collector circles, these babies are colloquially known as the Zenith cars, names so after the unitary construction bodyshell. To be auctioned off by Silverstone Auctions, the Mark X here is expected to fetch up to £100,000.
Considering that a Jaguar XJ with the long wheelbase and supercharged V8 costs roughly £100,000, it’s fair to say that the gray-haired Mark X is an offer few Jaguar collectors can refuse. What’s more, the four-door sedan is now at its fifth owner, who spent big money to restore it to tip-top condition.
With 71,300 miles (114,746 km) covered between five owners over the last 55 years, I have this feeling the bidding on this thing will be through the roof.
Speaking ahead of the Salon Privé sale, Silverstone Auctions managing director Nick Wale declared: “We are honored to have Sir William Lyons’ personal car in the sale, and what a beautiful car it is. This car has a very special history, but it is also a very stylish and elegant car to own. Every inch of the car says luxury. Cars like this just aren’t made anymore.”
He’s right, you know. My God, that thing looks great posing outside of Wappenbury Hall, also known as the house where Sir William lived.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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