Lot 021: 1966 JAGUAR MK II 3.4 LITRE

Introduced in 1959, the MKII has long been Jaguar's best-loved saloon. Its combination of svelte good looks, strong performance and gentlemen's club interior has successfully charmed every passing generation. Based around a more sophisticated version of its MKI predecessor's monocoque bodyshell equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a Panhard-rod located 'live' rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes, the newcomer was powered by a choice of race-bred 2.4 litre, 3.4 litre and 3.8 litre XK DOHC straight-six engines. Although, slower on paper than their range-topping 3.8 litre siblings, the 3.4 litre cars nonetheless boasted some 210bhp and 216lbft of torque, outputs sufficient to ensure a circa 120mph top speed and spirited acceleration. Finished in white with red leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "good" (engine, automatic transmission, electrical equipment, wheels / tyres), "very good" (interior trim, paintwork) or "excellent" (chassis, bodywork) condition. Reportedly "supplied new to Australia", 'JKE 134D' is further understood to have seen "very little use" since being "restored in the UK during 2003". Presumably a function of the Oceanic climate, the seller suggests that "a close inspection should be made of the bodywork" because "all panels are factory original and rust free which is almost unique". Benefiting from a retrimmed interior and riding on steel wheels, this well preserved MKII is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until September 2008.