Jaguar MkII 3.4 Manual Overdrive

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In 1959 Jaguar launched a new range of compact saloons, collectively known as the MkII, which replaced the previous 2.4 and 3.4 model, retrospectively known as the MkI.

A range-topping 3.8-litre was made available for the new car but the magnificent 3,442cc XK engine, which had done so much to fill Jaguar’s trophy cabinet in the racing C- and D-Type models, still offered quite sufficient performance for most people. In fact it only gave away 10bhp to its brawnier big brother and reduced the top speed by just 5mph to a still highly illegal 120mph.

Like it’s smaller and bigger engined stablemates, the 3.4 was clothed in one of the finest looking saloon car bodies ever made. You will get more smiles-per-mile proceeding along the Queen’s highway in a MkII Jag than you will in virtually any other car, such is the public affection for this quintessentially British sporting saloon. Production of the MkII 3.4 ended in 1967, although a cheaper version, the 340, continued to sell until 1969.

First registered in Aberdeen in March 1961, this lovely 3.4 has the desirable 4-speed manual with overdrive gearbox that makes the most of the car’s prodigious performance. Finished in classic British Racing Green with a Suede Green interior, it appears to have had just three owners to date (the first right up until 1999) and is said by the vendor to remain “in remarkably original condition and the indicated mileage of just over 70,000 is believed to be correct”.

Originally ordered with steel wheels, a nice set of chrome wires have latterly been fitted although the original wheels are also included in the sale and are reportedly in fine shape. The woodwork and chrome are also in excellent condition, together with the headlining which has been professionally replaced.

The vendor, who has had several Jaguars in the past, considers the performance of the engine to be “above average” for a 3.4 and also mentions that the Moss gearbox is in very good order and changes up and down the range without difficulty. Clearly an unusually well-preserved and cherished example, it is offered here with the original owner’s handbook, an original sales brochure, the original Aberdeen VRS 212 registration number, several old MOT certificates and a current MOT valid to August 2016.

Widely regarded as being the sweetest running model in the MkII range, it is only badge snobbery that keeps 3.4 values down when compared to the 3.8, making it perhaps the smartest buy today.