Lot 277 - 1956 Jaguar Mk.I 240 Saloon ‘Endeavour’ *WITHDRAWN*

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION.

Jaguar launched the 2.4 litre in 1955. The new model was Jaguar's first 'small' saloon since the demise of the old 1.5 litre cars in 1949. Jaguar aimed the new car at the developing executive market and soon found itself swamped with orders. The car's 2483cc twin overhead cam engine provided enough performance (over 100mph) for the day and came with optional overdrive and automatic transmission. For many years, the Mk. I 2.4 model has lived in the shadow of the more romantic Mk. II; however, these cars are now rare and are becoming more sought after. The Mk. I also competed successfully in many rallies, touring car, and saloon car races with notable drivers including Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Tommy Sopwith, and Roy Salvadori.

This Jaguar 240 Saloon was built in March 1956 and first registered in Ilford, Essex on 19th April 1956 by Henley's. It had a change of address to Worthing, Sussex 20th October 1958. It was then bought by the second owner on 16th August 1971 from a dealer in Sunbury-on-Thames. The car was in regular use until about May/June 1975, when the car failed an MOT test on the front suspension and steering joints. By this time the mileage was 36,980. The car was then stored in a leaky garage which at some time collapsed, causing no damage to the car but during its time in the old garage the car fell into a sorry state. The third owner bought the car from his father on 1st February 1989, with the intention of restoring it. The restoration was a ground up affair undertaken by him with the help of specialists, for the body work and mechanics. The car was taken apart and then put back together, piece by restored piece. The restoration was completed in June 1990 when the car had its first MOT test since 1975. This restoration was featured by Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine between June and October 1990. In the early years, after the restoration was completed, the car won many concours competitions, driven to many rallies around Europe and featured in Country Living by Frank Page in 1991, Jaguar Quarterly June 1992, Classic and Sport Car November 1994 and Classic Cars July 1994. In 1999, the cylinder head was converted to unleaded fuel and the manual gearbox was fitted with an overdrive unit.

In 2012, this Jaguar was purchased by a company specialising in renting vehicles for film and TV productions specifically to be the hero car in the Inspector Morse pre-sequel ‘Endeavour’, the story of Morse’s early detective years and has featured in every episode of the five series; the fifth series is currently on UK television. The car has been fully maintained and serviced to a high standard as reliability is essential for the filming schedules. Finished in black with maroon leather interior, this Mk.I is supplied with a V5C registration document, original handbook and a large history file contain old MoT test certificates going back to 1990, copies of the magazines the car has featured in and workshop service and parts manuals. The car is the 939th to be built out of a total production of 19, 992 units manufactured between September 1955 and September 1959 and it is believed that this car could be one of earliest 2.4 Saloons still in road-worthy condition.