The Classic S-Type Register

Catering for the orginal S-Type, 420 and Daimler Sovereign – the IRS compact saloons of the 1960s.

This Register bridges the gap between the Mk 2 and XJ6, catering for what are known as the IRS saloons, using Jaguar’s groundbreaking independent rear suspension.

Although these models were made in relatively small numbers, particularly the Jaguar 420 and its Daimler-badged sibling, they represented a considerable leap forward in design and engineering. While the S-Type’s front-end styling reflected that of the Mk 2, it was a thoroughly modern car under the skin, with 3.4 and 3.8 engine options, with automatic or manual overdrive gearboxes. Although it was slow to achieve the collectability of the earlier saloon, it is now recognised for what it is – a fast, comfortable and affordable classic Jaguar in its own right.

Fewer than 15,000 Jaguar 420s and Daimler Sovereigns were built in the two years of production from 1967. Again, these were thoroughly modern cars and, with the same 4.2-litre engine that powered the later Series 1 and Series 2 E-Types, they were amongst the fastest saloon cars on the road. Sadly, they have only survived in small numbers. The engines, suspension and manual overdrive gearboxes attracted the attention of replica builders and owners of E-Types and Mk 2s looking for replacement parts. Being cheap to buy 20 years ago, many 420s and Sovereigns ended up in bits.