Ted Leonard delighted in driving, from his early experiences in SCCA racing through weekend excursions with his classic Packards, Rolls-Royce, Auburn, Bentley and Lincoln. For many years his daily driver was an SS Jaguar roadster, repowered with Austin and later Triumph engines. The open cockpit, cutdown doors and flared fenders of William Lyons’ classic pre-war Jaguar roadsters are among the most attractive, pleasing, sporting designs of the classic era. Their proportions are delicately balanced. They have only essential elements to match the purpose of their performance and handling, the essence of form and function united in a single, purposeful expression. This finely proportioned righthand drive 3½ liter Jaguar powered special re-creates that flair in a practical, simple creation. Based on a simple chassis with semi-elliptical leaf spring live axle suspension front and rear, Armstrong hydraulic lever front shocks, tubular rear shocks and a tube front axle, its classic Jaguar 3½ liter engine has dual SU carburetors and what appears to be an XK-series Moss 4-speed gearbox. Silver painted wire wheels have blackwall 5.25-5.50x18 tires with hydraulic drum brakes behind them. It features a low, classically shaped radiator shell between classically-shaped flared front fenders, running boards and full rear fenders flanking a single spare tire sent into the body’s abbreviated rear panel behind the fuel tank. A center-mounted fuel filler with spinoff cap made from a knockoff nut lies just behind the seats. Up front a set of Lucas King of the Road headlights nestle between the front fenders, matched by a pair of chrome horns mounted below the chrome chassis front crossmember. The interior, upholstered in red leather, has a classically shaped dashboard with a large tachometer and speedometer residing in the wood instrument panel behind a classic Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel with four banjo-style spokes, ideally placed for the attention of a serious driver. No maker’s identification was found during cataloging but the Leonard family’s oral history of the car suggests it was built by a racing driver. Its live axle suspension would suggest exceptional handling and responsiveness on smooth roads. The bodywork appears to be constructed entirely from steel and is done to high standards, as is the paint. The chassis and engine show little use. The rear license plate, MI 8953, is in the style of Italian registrations from Milan, and the design of the rear body, with the spare tire recessed into a carefully molded surface tightly concentrated between the rear fenders and tires, suggests design elements employed by Touring and Zagato during the Thirties. Light weight, unburdened by superfluous accessories or embellishments, classically designed and built to unusually high standards, Ted Leonard’s 3½ Liter Jaguar Special Roadster is a driver’s car to be experienced, enjoyed and shared on bright summer evenings and crisp fall days. Lightly used and in consistently sound condition, it needs only a new owner to find renewed expression.
Ted Leonard delighted in driving, from his early experiences in SCCA racing through weekend excursions with his classic Packards, Rolls-Royce, Auburn, Bentley and Lincoln. For many years his daily driver was an SS Jaguar roadster, repowered with Austin and later Triumph engines. The open cockpit, cutdown doors and flared fenders of William Lyons’ classic pre-war Jaguar roadsters are among the most attractive, pleasing, sporting designs of the classic era. Their proportions are delicately balanced. They have only essential elements to match the purpose of their performance and handling, the essence of form and function united in a single, purposeful expression. This finely proportioned righthand drive 3½ liter Jaguar powered special re-creates that flair in a practical, simple creation. Based on a simple chassis with semi-elliptical leaf spring live axle suspension front and rear, Armstrong hydraulic lever front shocks, tubular rear shocks and a tube front axle, its classic Jaguar 3½ liter engine has dual SU carburetors and what appears to be an XK-series Moss 4-speed gearbox. Silver painted wire wheels have blackwall 5.25-5.50x18 tires with hydraulic drum brakes behind them. It features a low, classically shaped radiator shell between classically-shaped flared front fenders, running boards and full rear fenders flanking a single spare tire sent into the body’s abbreviated rear panel behind the fuel tank. A center-mounted fuel filler with spinoff cap made from a knockoff nut lies just behind the seats. Up front a set of Lucas King of the Road headlights nestle between the front fenders, matched by a pair of chrome horns mounted below the chrome chassis front crossmember. The interior, upholstered in red leather, has a classically shaped dashboard with a large tachometer and speedometer residing in the wood instrument panel behind a classic Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel with four banjo-style spokes, ideally placed for the attention of a serious driver. No maker’s identification was found during cataloging but the Leonard family’s oral history of the car suggests it was built by a racing driver. Its live axle suspension would suggest exceptional handling and responsiveness on smooth roads. The bodywork appears to be constructed entirely from steel and is done to high standards, as is the paint. The chassis and engine show little use. The rear license plate, MI 8953, is in the style of Italian registrations from Milan, and the design of the rear body, with the spare tire recessed into a carefully molded surface tightly concentrated between the rear fenders and tires, suggests design elements employed by Touring and Zagato during the Thirties. Light weight, unburdened by superfluous accessories or embellishments, classically designed and built to unusually high standards, Ted Leonard’s 3½ Liter Jaguar Special Roadster is a driver’s car to be experienced, enjoyed and shared on bright summer evenings and crisp fall days. Lightly used and in consistently sound condition, it needs only a new owner to find renewed expression.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
