1961 Jaguar Mk2 3.8-litre Manual/Overdrive

• Much loved and regularly used this lovely Mk 2 has just celebrated its 60th birthday
• BRG, red leather, manual gearbox, overdrive and wire wheels, that's most of the boxes ticked
• The first 30 years of its life were in Australia which may explain its sound condition
• Recent new exhaust, water pump, ball joints, calipers, brake hoses, shock absorbers and an uprated radiator
• Freshly MOT'd with 'No Advisories'

One of the most readily recognised cars of the 1960s, thanks in part to countless appearances in films and on television, Jaguar's seminal Mk2 saloon set the standard for the class throughout its entire production life and today remains highly prized by enthusiasts. With the advent of the Mk2, the 3.8-litre version of Jaguar's XK twin-cam six became available for the first time in the company's medium-sized saloon. In 3.8-litre, manual/overdrive configuration with 220bhp on-tap and a whopping 240lb/ft of torque available at a lowly 3,000rpm, it was a genuine 125 mph car capable of reaching 60mph in 8.5 seconds, outstanding figures for a saloon of its size and making it the fastest saloon in the world at the time.

Offered here is a lovely Mk2 that has benefitted from spending most of its life in the very favourable climate of Australia. The underside looks to be factory original and in sound condition appearing to require no repairs to the sills, floor pans, spring mounts and jacking points. It returned to the UK in 1992 and has been enjoyed by our, now retired, vendor who is looking to reduce his collection. He has maintained the Jaguar to a very high standard and most recently it's had a correct mild-steel exhaust fitted, a new water pump and an uprated radiator complete with all new hoses. The suspension has also been checked over and new ball joints have been fitted as well as new brake hoses, calipers and shock absorbers. Its original Jaguar tool kit remains tucked away in the wheel well where it's always been.

The Jaguar is classically finished in British Racing Green with red leather seating and, whilst not freshly restored, it does display a gentle patina and appears much loved and regularly used. The chassis number ends in 'BW' which denotes that at some stage it was an automatic but, like most 3.8s, it was converted to a manual gearbox in period. On a recent drive by our vendor he noted: ‘’So I gave the Jag a polish and headed for the hills, had a lovely drive, the temperature gauge stayed at just under halfway and the oil pressure around halfway too, just as it should be. The overdrive clicks in and out fine, clutch bite is around halfway, and the brakes pull up straight’’

It has just sailed through an MOT with no advisories and this unpretentious Mk2 now requires a new custodian to enjoy its usable high performance, impeccable road manners and the sound of that lusty XK straight-six. Our auction favourite and guided to find a new home.