Photo: J. Fisher THE CAR AND ITS OWNER
1967 Jaguar 420 sedan owned by Jay Fisher
WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING
These Jaguars -- with their six-cylinder XKE engines, wire wheels and interiors slathered in walnut and fine leather -- made a truly sporting ride for the proper English gentleman of the ‘60s. In Fisher’s case, his British racing green “saloon” (four-door sedan) was originally sold for about $6,200 to a U. S. Navy admiral living in Beverly Hills. Just over 10,000 examples of the 420 were believed to be produced by Jaguar from October 1966 through September 1968, with Fisher’s car being one of only 882 shipped to America during the first model year. In fact, he says he’s gotten a certificate from the Jaguar Heritage Museum verifying his as the first left-hand-drive 420 produced. He made the discovery after seeing the vehicle identification number (VIN) listed in an article among several Jaguar history books. “I said to myself, ‘Wow, I never bothered to look at my VIN number.’ So I got out my title and, lo and behold, there it was.”
HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT
Fisher, who says he’s owned six Jaguars, bought this car “on a whim” in 2004.
WHERE HE FOUND IT
He found the Jaguar through an online ad and had it shipped from California.
CONDITION
Fisher’s 420 has only 46,000 original miles. “I have restored the car to its original condition," he says. "All the parts are original aside from a few add-ons. I have over 30 manuals and original handbooks that came with the car. Parts are fairly easy to buy from several Jaguar parts companies here in the states. I import many parts from the UK directly. I find that much more cost-effective.”
TIPS FOR OWNERS
“If you want a car like this,” Fisher advises, “the main thing to look for is that it must be rust-free. Therefore, you should try to buy one from California, if possible, as it is a dry climate. Rust can be a nightmare for anyone looking to restore this car, as early British cars were not made of the best metals. Also, you must change the fluids every six months to avoid any problems.”
VALUE
Fisher says he has verified his Jaguar’s value of about $82,000 with several auction houses, although he notes that “a regular one can be bought for as low as $3,000 to $10,000.” Hagerty, the classic car insurer, puts an average value of $31,600 on a base 420 in top condition.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“This car reminds me of my early childhood,” he says, “as my first car was a Jaguar in 1964.” Fisher adds that he has turned down a request by a “world-famous auction house” to put the car up for sale.
1967 Jaguar 420 sedan owned by Jay Fisher
WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING
These Jaguars -- with their six-cylinder XKE engines, wire wheels and interiors slathered in walnut and fine leather -- made a truly sporting ride for the proper English gentleman of the ‘60s. In Fisher’s case, his British racing green “saloon” (four-door sedan) was originally sold for about $6,200 to a U. S. Navy admiral living in Beverly Hills. Just over 10,000 examples of the 420 were believed to be produced by Jaguar from October 1966 through September 1968, with Fisher’s car being one of only 882 shipped to America during the first model year. In fact, he says he’s gotten a certificate from the Jaguar Heritage Museum verifying his as the first left-hand-drive 420 produced. He made the discovery after seeing the vehicle identification number (VIN) listed in an article among several Jaguar history books. “I said to myself, ‘Wow, I never bothered to look at my VIN number.’ So I got out my title and, lo and behold, there it was.”
HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT
Fisher, who says he’s owned six Jaguars, bought this car “on a whim” in 2004.
WHERE HE FOUND IT
He found the Jaguar through an online ad and had it shipped from California.
CONDITION
Fisher’s 420 has only 46,000 original miles. “I have restored the car to its original condition," he says. "All the parts are original aside from a few add-ons. I have over 30 manuals and original handbooks that came with the car. Parts are fairly easy to buy from several Jaguar parts companies here in the states. I import many parts from the UK directly. I find that much more cost-effective.”
TIPS FOR OWNERS
“If you want a car like this,” Fisher advises, “the main thing to look for is that it must be rust-free. Therefore, you should try to buy one from California, if possible, as it is a dry climate. Rust can be a nightmare for anyone looking to restore this car, as early British cars were not made of the best metals. Also, you must change the fluids every six months to avoid any problems.”
VALUE
Fisher says he has verified his Jaguar’s value of about $82,000 with several auction houses, although he notes that “a regular one can be bought for as low as $3,000 to $10,000.” Hagerty, the classic car insurer, puts an average value of $31,600 on a base 420 in top condition.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“This car reminds me of my early childhood,” he says, “as my first car was a Jaguar in 1964.” Fisher adds that he has turned down a request by a “world-famous auction house” to put the car up for sale.
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