Skip to main content

Carbon Motors shows off its latest 1969 Jaguar 420 sedan restoration

It seems restomods or full-scale restorations are one of the hottest new trends these days, what with coachbuilders like Singer and its artful work with classic 911s, or East Coast Defender, modernizing the classic Land Rover Defender models for better everyday use. They are definitely a breath of fresh air for the traditional car enthusiast in contrast to the huge offensive toward electrification and hybridization.

Adding itself to the list is Carbon Motors, dedicating its back-breaking restoration work to classic Jaguar four-door saloons. Back in 2015, the company announced its latest services, focusing specifically on late 1960s Jaguar 420 sedans.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Jaguar 420 was one of the company’s earliest expressions of a modern “compact sports sedan.” Think of it as one of the earliest renditions of the modern Jaguar XJ sedan. The original Jaguar 420 essentially predates the current XJ and was introduced in October of 1966, at the London Motor Show. Based off of the original and early- to mid-1960s Jaguar S-Type sedan — the precursor to the famous Mark II sedan — the 420 was deemed the “four-door” or “extended E-Type.”

Recommended Videos

It was sold as the Jaguar “four-twenty,” reflecting its 4.2-liter, six-cylinder engine replacement. It featured a different Daimler-built 2.5-liter V8 for the rebadged Daimler Sovereign version — a more luxurious brand to Jaguar-based sedans. But that was the only thing separating the otherwise identical cars.

The Jaguar 420’s 4.2-liter straight-six is essentially lifted straight out of the E-Type but with a different fuel system. It’s fed by two carburetors to produce around 245 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of twist, compared to three-carbed version on the E-Type and larger, more luxurious 420G sedan. Though as the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) adjusted their testing system, the 420’s six-cylinder was found to be underrated with power figures. It was sold here with either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.

Unlike restomod companies like Singer or East Coast Defender, however, Carbon Motors does without extensive modifications to the Jaguar 420 sedan. Instead, it focuses on restoring the vehicle from the ground up, while slightly modernizing some of the systems for better reliability today.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

As an example of its attention to detail, Carbon Motors recognizes Jaguar’s era-relevant problems with build quality and resolves them. For instance, the company used improper wood-putty to seal some of the body panels during assembly — a desperate way to save on production costs. For those not in the know, Jaguars of this era have a reputation for awful build quality and reliability — a result of corporate restructuring gone bad, following a crippling merger with then-automotive giant British Leyland. On top of a crippled economy and problematic unions, as well as political uprising, Jaguars in the late 1960s through the 1980s endured decades of reliability and build quality issues — the 420 being one of them.

The 1969 420’s original interior

Under Carbon Motors’ restoration, the car gets a completely repaint while all the body imperfections are repaired and rust, removed. Then, the interior undergoes a complete reupholstering job with new leather on the seats, door panels, restored dashboard wood trim, and a new headliner, just to name a few. The same goes for the power- and drivetrain — any and every part needing attention will get it.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

To showcase its work and put its money where it touts, Carbon Motors released a new high-definition album for all of our viewing pleasure.


Please enable Javascript to view this content

Chris Chin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Since picking up his first MicroMachine, Chris Chin knew his passion for automobiles was embedded into his soul. Based in…
You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit
amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Read more
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Read more
Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring
911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.

Read more