Jaguar MkI 2.4 Manual Overdrive

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT; Please note there has been a minor revision to the estimate.

Launched in 1955, the MkI saloon was a great step forward for Jaguar as it was the first car they had ever made using the unitary method of construction. The monocoque body – in which the basic shell doubled as the chassis – had the twin advantages of saving weight and being far more rigid than the old body-on-frame construction. Stress engineering was still in its infancy in the 1950s so the MkI shell was actually over-engineered by modern standards and the thick door surrounds and windscreen pillars made the body even stiffer than Jaguar had hoped for. 

The result was an inherently fine handling car to which relatively soft suspension could be added which paid dividends in ride quality and roadholding. Being a Jaguar, it also looked superb with an air of coiled energy that put it into a different league from rival executive saloons such as the stately Humber, bulbous Standard Vanguard and matronly Rover P4.

Initially it was only available as a 2.4-litre with 115bhp and a top speed of just over 100mph, but it was soon obvious that the car was crying out for more power so the magnificent 210bhp 3.4-litre XK engine was also installed from 1957 onwards. With 210bhp on tap, this could propel the car to 60mph in just nine seconds on its way to a top speed of over 120mph. Four-wheel disc brakes were also added at the same time which gave much improved stopping power compared to the old drum brakes set up. An overdrive gearbox also proved a popular option.

The independent front suspension featured double wishbones, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar. The live rear axle was positively located by quarter-elliptic leaf springs, trailing arms and a Panhard rod in a manner reminiscent of the D-Type, being a significant improvement over the other saloons and XK sports cars.

The luxurious interior was of similar design to Jaguar’s big saloons, with most of the dials and switches being located on the central dashboard between the driver and passenger. This arrangement reduced the differences between LHD and RHD production but it also makes for a wonderfully retro cabin ambience today.

A natural track car, the MkI came to dominate saloon car racing of the era, racking up numerous wins in the hands of legendary drivers such as Tommy Sopwith, Roy Salvadori and Stirling Moss. The MkI also gained an enduring notoriety when, on 22nd January 1959, former motor racing world champion Mike Hawthorn was killed in an accident involving his own highly-tuned 3.4-litre (VDU 881) on the Guildford bypass in Surrey.

This particular 2.4 MkI was first registered to a Keith Vincent of Basingstoke in November 1958, as a copy of the original log book confirms. Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but it has clearly been very well looked after and carefully restored at some time. The red leather interior looks to be in very nice condition as does the glossy maroon paintwork. A desirable disc braked model, the car is said to drive very well with an overdrive that is very responsive both in and out. Supplied with a small amount of service history, various old MOTs and the original owner's handbook, the car is MOTd and taxed until June 2012 and is ready for immediate use.