An original Coombs demonstrator.

• Fitted with Coombs ‘racing’ modifications from new in 1962.

• Often run using the famous registration ‘BUY 1’.

• Registered new on 3rd April 1962 and converted by Coombs as their main demonstrator - the only one with the ‘leather’ (vinyl) roof.

• 3.8-litre engine developing 220 bhp at 5,500 rpm.

• Finished in the original colour of Carmen Red.

• Black leather interior with wood veneer.

• Restored to excellent, factory condition.

• Currently being fully serviced.

• Limited-slip differential recently rebuilt.

John Coombs, born in 1922, ran his esteemed Jaguar dealership in Guildford for many years, but was best known for his motor racing prowess. He was a successful racing driver in the 1950s, but became more successful with his own racing team in the 60s and 70s. His team ran sports cars for multiple successful drivers, such as Roy Salvadori, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren and Colin Chapman. Coombs’s team cars included the E-Type, Jaguar MKII, Ferrari 250 GTO and an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Coombs also ran a Formula Two team with famous drivers: Piers Courage, Patrick Depailler and François Cevert.

Coombs’s racing experience was utilised in tuning Jaguar MKIIs when he had requests from wealthy customers who wanted fast, handling road cars. He ordered new Jaguars from the factory and then customers would choose exactly which upgrades they wanted. The best Coombs Jaguars had all the engine, exhaust and suspension upgrades.

Officially manufactured on 7th March 1962, this MKII was dispatched later that month by Henlys Limited, London to Coombs and Sons, Guildford. This example was one of the two demonstrator cars that Coombs & Sons owned and was often run using the famous registration ‘BUY 1’. It was fitted with all the Basic, Specialist and Competition options from Coombs’s ‘List of Modifications’ (with the exception of the strengthened anti-roll bar) and were carried out in March 1962 by Ken Bell, later an owner of the car: 

• Fully modified 9.5:1 compression racing engine, including lightened flywheel.

• 2”  SU carburettors.

• Machined cylinder head.

• Straight-through hand-made stainless-steel sports exhaust.

• High ratio steering.

• High-rate front spring.

• Vari-Flow adjustable shock absorbers.

• Strengthened rear spring location.

• Modified rear wheel arches.

• Leather covered roof panel (converted to vinyl).

• Additional long range 9.4-gallon fuel tank.

• E-Type wooden rim steering wheel

• Manually controlled choke switch.

Ex-works extras:

• Painted wire wheels conversion.

• Close raito gearbox.

• Reclining seats

Please enquire below for further details.