Lot Ended
Description
Amendment: A unique combination known as the
'Jentley'; Jaguar MkVIII running gear with a William Arnold Streamline body ex-
Derby Bentley; beautifully executed and on offer from a deceased estate;
requires light recommissioning
Amendment - the car was started on 23rd
May and was running nicely as per the video
HJX 59 started life as a
run-of-the-mill 1957 Jaguar Mk VIII - not so hum-drum in the day and a fine car
in its own right, the history of which is scant other than the chassis number
suggests it had a manual box with overdrive. It was originally fitted with a
3.4-litre engine.
It was acquired in 1966 by Silversmith Arthur Billard,
but gradually the body deteriorated to such an extent that it was decided to
take radical action.
In the early 1070s, Billard had discovered a
Bentley body sitting in the corner of a fellow Silversmith's workshop which was
acquired for £12! It was to be a perfect match.
The Jaguar chassis was
given a major restoration, and notes on file suggest it now has a 3.8-litre
engine from a Mk IX fitted and an all-synchro later-type gearbox with overdrive
- 2,700rpm at 70mph by all accounts.
The brakes were converted to Cooper
Craft discs and a power steering unit fitted to make parking a
doddle.
The William Arnold body dates from 1936 and was originally
fitted to Bentley Chassis number B180GA which was sold to Frank Cobb, a
well-known Silversmith from Sheffield, who was incidently a relative of J Cobb,
racing driver and record breaker. It was to their 'Streamline'
design.
Cleverly grafted into position, it retains its original
bodystructure and bonnet, with modified wings and the Jaguar grille, modified by
Billard himself. It all sits very naturally in place and makes a very fine
combination - in effect a Coachbuilt Jaguar Mk VIII.
The retained dash is
Jaguar, with the rest of the trim/interior being Bentley/William Arnold,
complete with some nice touches including a flower vase.
Painted Biascan
blue and sitting on E-Type V12 wheels, the job was finally completed in around
2011, but sadly the owner was getting along in years by then and it didn't get
much use.
On offer from a deceased estate, it was acquired through Jeremy
Wade in 2015 and given regular exercise up until about 12 months ago. Spencer
Lane Jones gave the car a comprehensive service and check over in 2019 costing
£1,100 and the family have recently had it running - please see attached
video.
Featured in a write-up in the Bentley Driver's Club review in
2014, it looks like a very easy car to both drive and own, with an ability to
cover big distances with Grace Space and Pace....
Contact [email protected]
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