Lot 430: 1963 Jaguar MK II 3.8 Litre

The Jaguar Mk VII saloon and the XK sports car dominated two sectors of the high performance car market in the early 1950s. In order to increase this share further, Jaguar developed a sporting medium-sized saloon. The resultant design was to be one of Jaguar's most successful cars, the Mk I of 1955, which was subsequently updated in October 1959 when the Mk II version appeared, making a good car even better. Similar in appearance but with a much larger glass area and vastly improved interior, it boasted a wider rear track to improve road holding together with minor front suspension changes to reduce body roll and all round discs rather than drum brakes This car, with the 3.8 litre, 220bhp engine, was to be the ultimate Jaguar saloon. Naturally, performance was excellent, figures for maximum speed and 0-60mph being 125mph and 8.5 seconds.Produced in 1963, this 3.8 litre version has benefited from a complete restoration in 1998/1999 by Roger Brotton Classics Ltd at a cost of £25,500. The car was rebuilt in the style of a 'Coombs special' with suspension and rear axle being upgraded. In 2002 the car was sent to Ivydene Garage for tuning and purchased by the present owner in 2004 through well known Jaguar specialist Derek Watson of Bakewell. During the vendor's ownership the car has had a new radiator header tank fitted and the power-steering box re-built. All invoices for work carried out will be supplied with the car along with a V5 document and fresh MoT test certificate. Finished in black with an olive green leather interior, this MK II is in very good condition.