Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Manual Overdrive

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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 sports cars 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 on both 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 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!

This Jaguar Mk2 has been owned by the same conscientious enthusiast for the last 29 years, during which time it has been in regular if light use, clocking up some 25,000 miles during that period. Looking purposeful with painted wire wheels to match the bodywork, the car is equipped with a full synchromesh manual gearbox and overdrive. The interior is finished in well cared-for green leather and sports a MotoLita steering wheel.

In 1989 the car underwent a major body refurbishment by Noll Farmer (ex-Vicarage Jaguar) at Knowbury. There is a comprehensive photographic record of the work. Further to this, the history file contains all invoices and receipts from June 1989 to the last service in November 2013 which was carried out by Charlie Smith of Ludlow. The car also retains all MOT certificates from March 1985.

A further history of the car while in the vendor’s ownership can be found in the Jaguar Drivers Club magazine in January of this year. It includes details of all owners since June 1971 and all work carried out. Although not registered until May 1967 the car was actually built in 1965 and carries a Heritage Certificate authenticating its build date.

The Jaguar reportedly pulls ‘strongly and effortlessly’, though has always smoked a little on hard acceleration and briefly after idling. (This is mentioned in the JDC article). However, the owner has been advised to leave well alone since she goes so well. Taxed and MOTd until November, this lovely old Jag now just needs a caring new owner to enjoy and cherish it as much as the current one has these past three decades.