1961 Jaguar Mk2 3.4 - Manual O/D

More widely admired than any other Jaguar saloon, the Mk2 now seems synonymous with the 1960s. Leaner looking than its Mk1 forbear, the reduced girth of its roof posts not only gave occupants a far airier glasshouse but also presented onlookers with a rather more elegant shape. Built as a monocoque, it featured independent coil-sprung front suspension, a well-located 'live' rear axle and all-round disc brakes. Available in 2.4-litre, 3.4-litre, and 3.8-litre guises, the larger-engined variants soon became known as capable sports saloons, a reputation underscored by their racing siblings' numerous track victories against assorted opposition. Although slower on paper, the 3.4-litre cars nonetheless boasted some 210bhp and 216lbft of torque, an output more than sufficient to ensure a 120mph top speed and spirited acceleration especially when fitted with the desirable four-speed plus overdrive manual gearbox.

The car presented here is a 1961 Jaguar Mk2 3.4 M/OD matching-numbers example, with a fascinating history. The story goes that in 1979 its engine suffered a seizure (later discovered that a cam-chain tensioner part had pierced the sump) and sadly the car was not attended to, and put away in a very well protected garage where it sat for 37 years! Not a great start, but what it did ensure was that, when rediscovered, its originality was safeguarded and, thanks to how it had been stored, it had fared extremely well in terms of bodywork/chassis deterioration. Almost like a time capsule.

Seeing the car’s potential, our vendor set about overseeing a most exacting restoration mostly carried out by ‘AMW Restorations’ of Mexborough, spending approximately £35,000 (with 1,500 hours of labour invoiced) to make this car the perfect mix of originality (with details like flat headlamps that often get replaced) and mechanical health. There is a thorough breakdown of all expenses (copy available upon request), with a box of invoices. There are also receipts and invoices from previous keepers, including some history from the pre-1979 owner.

Some highlights of the work include a refaced and rebuilt cylinder head, block, crank, and flywheel, a balanced crank, and a set of shiny new pistons (the machining was carried out by R&E Arnett of Doncaster); all new brake calipers, and an overhaul of the master cylinder, braking system, and clutch (by Ward Engineering of Colchester); a new fuel tank, new leaf springs, all new shock absorbers, steering ball joints, bushes, brake pads, and tyres.

Slightly over-bored, the Jag's capacity is now 3.6-litres – so watch out you 3.8-litre drivers! Now fitted with 123 ignition, a stainless-steel exhaust and painted wheels, this MK2 is not only a rare survivor but now drives like it was designed to. It has been enjoyed and maintained by our vendor for a few years since its transformation, now properly bedded-in and in tip-top health. A well set-up Mk 2 is a revelation and should be enjoyed by every enthusiast at some point. This may be your opportunity.