Description

1961 Jaguar MkII 3.8 Automatic

SOLD £20,160

Fully restored including bare metal repaint and new gearbox; current owner 18 years; ex-Mayor Collection; a smart example of this charismatic sporting saloon

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. Clothed in one of the finest saloon car bodies ever made, it was powered by an equally fine engine, the legendary XK straight-six which had proved its mettle at Le Mans in the racing C- and D-Types and in the immortal road-going E-Type. With 220bhp on tap, the 3.8 version could launch the MkII to 60mph in 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 125mph. No wonder the cops and robbers loved it so much! First registered in March 1961, this 3.8 Automatic has had just five owners from new, the vendor acquiring it via a Coys auction in 2002 where it was being offered as part of the Mayor Collection in which it had resided since 1989 and had been treated to a "substantial restoration" reputedly at a "five figure cost" as detailed in a work summary on file. However, our vendor soon decided that the car was not up to the standard that he desired. Over the next four years he poured over £12,000 into the car including a bare metal repaint, many new trim parts, rechromed bumpers front and rear plus a brand new automatic gearbox and torque converter which alone cost over £3,700 (invoices on file). Always kept garaged and used in fine weather only, the car has clocked up fewer than 700 miles in the current 18-year ownership (as evidenced by various old MOTs) and has been regularly serviced by Jaguar specialists Grantham Bridge Motors of Droitwich, regardless of the low mileage covered. As you can see it remains in very good order throughout with sparkling Old English White paintwork, a lovely red leather interior and the desirable power steering option. All we can really fault it on are the somewhat indifferent shut lines between the door bottoms and the sills, a repair to the driver’s seat squab and remnants of the original light blue paint on the bulkhead. Starting promptly and running sweetly as we moved it around for these photos, it has an MOT until July 2021. Other documentation includes the 2002 Coys catalogue, an original factory workshop manual, many invoices and a 2017 insurance valuation for £38,000. It also retains its original Coventry-issued registration number, 9497 KV, which is transferable and doubtless has a value of its own.

For more information please contact James Dennison on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com