Jaguar MkII 3.8 MoD

Undoubtedly one of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the Jaguar MkII 3.8 litre was launched to huge acclaim in 1959. With stunning performance from its 220bhp straight-six engine (0 – 60 in 8.5 seconds), this full four-seater could embarrass most sportscars of the day and leave 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 60’s bank job was complete without a 3.8 fishtailing its way from the scene of the crime – often hotly pursued by another MkII that the cops had been forced to buy to keep up! 

First registered in May 1967, this particular car is one of the last of the desirable ‘big bumper’ models and benefits from the all-synchro manual overdrive gearbox that was introduced in 1964. It also has power steering and a heated rear windscreen. As the large history file reveals, the car was treated to a major restoration in the early 1980s and came second in a concours competition when the work was completed in around 1986.

In 1991 the car was taken off the road and put into storage where it was to remain until earlier this year. Unfortunately the roof of the warehouse in which the car was being stored collapsed some years ago and the car was left exposed to the elements. It has suffered considerable deterioration in the meantime and will now need a fair amount of restoration before it can be returned to the road.

On the plus side it is the most desirable of the MkII models and has the best gearbox and the bonus of power steering. The previous restoration was also done to a high standard so whoever takes it on will at least be starting from a fairly good base. The car comes with a large history file going back to the early 1980s (including a 3-page 'Motor' magazine road test of this very car in 1986) and a spare bonnet that is in very good condition. Altogether a worthwhile project that should keep someone out of mischief over the coming winter months.