Where to start with this extraordinary car? We honestly don’t think we‘ve ever seen a vehicle of this vintage that’s in this kind of exemplary, jaw-dropping, fabulous condition.

The only thing between this car and a trophy cabinet full of concours gongs, medals and cups is the fact that it’s had one or two improvements which, in the arcane world of concours, take it away from the Holy Grail of absolute authenticity.

Well, for what it’s worth, we think it’s all the better for its upgrades and improvements – ZF auto box, power steering, electronic ignition, dual Facet solid state fuel pumps, electric front seats, front discs, a digital odometer built-in to the Smiths’ speedometer, etc – all of which have been done with the utmost taste and discretion and no doubt go a considerable way to making this car even more satisfying to live with and enjoy.

It’s nothing short of a revelation, frankly.

The vendor’s late father bought the car in 2013 from a local Jaguar specialist who had been w...