Jaguar MkII 240 Manual Overdrive

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One of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the compact 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 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. The entry level model was the 2.4-litre which was virtually identical in every way to the 3.8 apart from the smaller engine.

Although the 2.4 is often unkindly thought of as being a trifle underpowered, in reality it performed well for the period being capable of a genuine 100mph and was only shown up against its brawnier 3.4 and 3.8 siblings – although some would argue that the lighter engine gave it better handling.

First registered in July 1968, this British Racing Green example is a late 240 model which had slimline bumpers and an Ambla, rather than leather, interior in order to cut costs. Making up for this was a new straight port head, new inlet manifold and new HS6 SU carbs which raised the power of the 2.4-litre engine from 120bhp to 133bhp with more torque to boot.

It has covered a genuine 69,000 miles from new which is backed up by 34 old MOT certificates and a condition report by Grace and Son from 1991 which shows the car had 58,000 miles on the clock at that point. With excellent coachwork and chrome and a fine interior, it is understandable why the previous owner, who was an active Jaguar Owner’s Club member, kept this car for 24 years while driving it only sparingly, covering just 11,000 miles throughout this time. We are told that it comes with bills for over £15,000 including a rebuilt engine.

The 240 has an MOT test certificate until August 2015 and although we have been unable to test drive the Jaguar ourselves, we are reliably informed by the vendor that it does drive ’spot on’. It comes with much paperwork and a spare set of keys.