Jaguar MkII 3.4 Manual Overdrive

Undoubtedly one of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the Jaguar MkII was launched to huge acclaim in 1959. The top-of-the-range 3.8-litre model had stunning performance from its 220bhp straight-six engine and could embarrass most sportscars of the day, leaving them trailing in its 125mph wake. Keeping everything under control were servo-assisted disc brakes all round, coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle with optional limited slip diff. Inside was beautifully trimmed in walnut and leather in the finest Jaguar tradition. 

A huge success both on road and track, the MKII was quick to dominate contemporary saloon car racing in the hands of drivers like Stirling Moss and Roy Salvadori. No wonder it also established itself as the ultimate get-away car. With room for four burly gangsters and a big stack of loot, no sixties’ bank job was complete without a MkII fishtailing its way from the scene of the crime – often hotly pursued by another one that the cops had been forced to buy to keep up!

In the middle of the range was the 3.4-litre which featured the superb twin-cam 3,442cc XK engine, a particularly sweet running unit with excellent performance that was nearly a match for the 3.8 (210bhp and 120mph top speed). Production of the MkII 3.4 ended in 1967, although a cheaper version, the 340, continued to sell until 1969.

First registered in June 1963, this particular 3.4 manual overdrive car has been one local family owned from new and has covered only 22,700 miles to date. It was bought new from SW Brisbane & Son of Knighton, Radnorshire (as a plaque on the dashboard confirms) and was used sparingly but regularly up until 1977 when it was put into storage with just 22,000 miles on the clock.

There the car was to remain until 1999 when the family decided to treat her to a thorough restoration to return her to her former glory. The work was entrusted to Classic Affairs of Clungunford and took around a year to complete at a total cost of over £18,000 (bills on file). This included shotblasting the bodyshell to bare metal, repairing it as necessary and repainting in British Racing Green. All mechanical parts were renewed or refurbished as necessary, including an engine and gearbox strip down and rebuild; new clutch; new brakes, suspension and steering; new wiring loom; rebuilt back axle; new tyres; new stainless steel exhaust and all brightwork rechromed. Inside the headlining and carpets were replaced, the woodwork refurbished and the original red leather upholstery cleaned and treated with hide food.

The car was returned to the road in 2000 but has only covered around 700 miles since then and was last MOTd in 2007. Recently taken out of storage, the car has just been recommissioned and is due to have a fresh MOT before the sale. While the chrome bumpers have deteriorated slightly during storage and the tops of the front wings have some slight bubbling around the sidelights, the car remains in generally lovely condition throughout and would need little work to make excellent. With such a low mileage and just one family owned from new, it is sure to be of interest to any Jaguar collector.