Assembled in South Africa, this iconic sports saloon was dispatched from the factory on the 2nd April 1963. It spent most of its life in then Rhodesia before being brought to Cape Town by a medical doctor. It was the subject of a sympathetic, cosmetic restoration and mechanical overhaul which included the installation of a high compression head with triple SU carburettors, power steering and independent rear suspension. It is capable of achieving a top speed of 137.5 mph (220 kph). In England the Mark II was used by the police in the early days of motorways and high speed chases and of course the world now recognises it as the "smoker" of Inspector Morse. Look at our low rates for luxury car hire in Cape Town.
1957 Jaguar Mark VIII 3.4 (Burgundy over Cream)
This limousine left the Browns Lane factory in Coventry on the 23rd October 1957 and exported to Mr. Russell-Cook of Bulawayo, Rhodesia. In blue livery it graced the colonial roads before heading south in the 70's to a "man of the cloth" who nurtured it for many years before transferring ownership to Classic-Cats. A nut and bolt restoration has ensured the return of this exceptionally graceful car from an age which was manifested by burr walnut and cream leather representing the true car builders art. This is presence personified and a worthy concours winner in 2007. Just one of our popular wedding cars for hire in Cape Town?
1958 Jaguar Mark VIII 3.4 (Ebony over Ivory)
A later build from the Jaguar factory, this superb example went public on the 28th January 1958 and was shipped to a sugar cane farmer in Natal. When acquired from the last owner, a Johannesburg gentleman in his twilight years, it retained its original colour scheme of black with red leather. This has been subtly changed with the introduction of the lower cream colour and interior of regal ivory. Unlike the previous model, we have not upgraded any mechanicals and it is unique in its originality with massive drum brakes and the absence of power steering which is compensated by having a huge steering wheel. Certainly not suitable for little old ladies.
1953 Jaguar XK120 3.4 drop head coupé (British Racing Green)
First unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948, the XK sports car inspired a generation and arguably created a post-war Jaguar more successful than any series of sports car since. The XK's uncompromised, uncluttered and utterly desirable lines, makes it one of the finest classics on the road to-day. Credited with a top speed of 120 mph (192 kph) this example was the 13th right hand drive manufactured out of a total production of 294 and completed on the 29th September 1953. Found languishing in a barn in Hampshire, England by Classic-Cats, the rusty and incomplete remains were shipped to Cape Town in 2003 for reconstructive restoration and only recently touched tar after an absence of 38 years. We often wonder what pleasure the original owner, Lt. Col S E Saunders (KFC perhaps?), would have experienced viewing this wonderful rebuild with its suede green Connolly hide and mohair hood.
1959 Jaguar XK150S 3.4 drop head coupé (Opalescent Silver-Blue)
The "Final Product". Enhanced with much bright work and "middle-aged spread" the XK150 was deemed the most comfortable and sophisticated XK of all. It even had disc brakes. This concours example of the 3.4 "S" sports with its high compression head, pistons and triple SU carburettors raised the power output to 250bhp. Rare beasts indeed, only 19 right hand drive models were manufactured. Victor Lazlo the singer was the first owner taking delivery in April 1959 during which period the car was driven around London by many luminaries including Christine Keeler of Profumo fame. From snowbound Scotland it found its way to the Eastern Cape before being acquired by Classis-Cats for a full on restoration completed in 2006. This XK150 has won the concours d'elegance of the Cape Jaguar Club for the past two years running.
The "Other Jaguars"
Classic-Cats have a further three models under restoration including a fixed head XK150, an XK120 and E-Type Jaguar which will join the stable over the next 18 months.
Classic-Cats offers luxury cars for hire, classic cars for hire and wedding cars for hire in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and the greater Cape Winelands and Cape Town area.
