Jaguar MkII 3.8 MOD

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 1962 this particular MkII began life as a 2.4 manual overdrive but has long since been converted to full 3.8 specification. With just eight owners from new it has been in the current ownership for the last eight years and has been well-maintained but only lightly used throughout that time.

A desirable power-steering model, it also benefits from Reutter reclining front seats with picnic tables in the back, electronic ignition and alternator charging (rather than the standard dynamo). In recent times it has also been treated to new brake discs, callipers and pads all round, a new water pump, refurbished radiator and four new tyres. While the car is in very good order mechanically and has very sound bodywork with good panel fit and no obvious rust, the red leather interior is now beginning to show its age somewhat and leaves scope for improvement if desired.

Said to drive very well with excellent oil pressure and temperature at all times, it will be driven some 40 miles to the sale and comes with a full year’s MOT and tax. Perfectly usable as it is, it can be enjoyed in its present mellowed state but could be made into a very smart example with relatively little effort and looks excellent value at the guide price suggested.