Jaguar XJ6 4.2 - 1970

This is an early series 1, and is distinguished from later models by chrome surrounds on the instruments and colour-coded wheels. The colour is not original (was British green), but I think lends a modern air to the car belying its 38 years. This is currently my daily runner - the 4.2 XK motor puts out effortless power that will still surge forward if you accelerate from 80 mph. The handling is superb (this is a short wheelbase one) - and this vehicle performs well by modern standards - I can only imagine the sensation it must have created on its debut in the late 60's.

R2 000 - R50 000

Vanden Plas Princess 4 litre R - 1965

This car has only covered 50 000 miles, but was laid up for some 15 years. There was a fair amount of recomissioning work to do, but the Rolls-Royce engine fired up and never missed a beat. Known as the "poor man's Rolls", these cars suffered a bad reputation under the BMC badge, but are now coming into their own as remarkable and unique vehicles. There were less than 7 000 built, and were finished and trimmed with all the luxuries of the day. This car runs effortlessly on the highways and byways, and is often used as daily transport, The marque's rise and demise makes for interesting story telling.

R5 000 - R50 000

Bentley Mk VI - 1948

The Bentley Mark VI was the first complete car to be manufactured by Rolls-Royce Ltd. (Previously only chassis were built and coachwork was constructed by outside coachbuilders) Only 28 of the 4 1/4 litre Mk VI's were exported to South Africa, however some cars were imported privately in later years. The car was originally Mistletoe green with tan hide, and was ordered trough Stanley Motors of Eloff Street, Johannesburg for Sir Michael Bernard Grenville Oppenheimer, who took delivery of it in March 1948. The car has now covered over 240 000 miles with only regular maintenance. The true charm of this car is that it is a pre-war design with post-war reliability, so it is a very driveable early classic. It is fast for its age, and can comfortably maintain modern speed limits.

R300 000 plus for good examples

Jaguar 420 - 1969

This car is in original condition with the interior still being virtually spotless and only 76000 miles on the clock, and came with
original owners manual and workshop manuals. Recommissioning included the usual Jaguar 420 maladies - blocked fuel tanks, malfunctioning fuel pumps and leaky floats in the carbs etc. and she has been running well ever since. The auto's have a surprisingly short final drive ratio giving engine revolutions of about 4500 at 60 miles an hour making the car thirsty at speed. Can be overcome by fitting a differential off the XJ6 - or buying the manual with overdrive! This could be one of the very last 420s assembled in South Africa as the XJ6 MK1 first went on sale in the same year.

R10 000 - R65 000