1964 JAGUAR MKII 3.8 MANUAL

This Jaguar MkII is a graceful classic British sports saloon in a desirable specification, presented in smart condition. Under the bonnet is the 3.8-litre straight-six engine fed by twin SU HD6 carburettors, which drives the rear wheels via the four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The odometer indicates 86,136 miles from new.

Launched in October 1959, the MkII featured a number of enhancements over its predecessor, including four-wheel disc brakes, revised front suspension and a wider track. In 3.8-litre guise, it produced 220bhp and 240lb-ft of torque, making it the fastest saloon in the world at the time, and famously a popular choice for getaway drivers and the police alike.

This example was first registered on 21 February 1964 and sold to its first owner by Page Motors of Epsom, Surrey. In 1993, it was exported to Japan, where it remained for around 20 years, covering just 7,500 miles in that time. It was shipped back to the UK in recent years and was acquired by the current owner in June 2018.

Finished in Opalescent Silver Blue, the bodywork is in very good order and is believed to have never suffered from any accident damage. The seller notes that structurally the car is rust-free with excellent floor pans, inner panels and a clean underbody. He also states that the vehicle has been fully resprayed by a previous owner. There are some small blemishes to the paintwork, including a scratch on the nearside rear pillar, two patches of paint runs at the front of the vehicle, and slight bubbling at the bottom of the offside rear wheel arch. The paintwork inside the boot is also lifting near the bulkhead, but overall the finish looks smart.

The exterior brightwork all presents very well, having been polished to a mirror finish, and the windows and light lenses are in good order and free of any chips or cracks. It rides on a set of 15-inch polished wire wheels with knock-off hubs. All four road wheels present well, with few signs of their age. The spare wheel is mounted beneath the boot carpet.

Looking to the interior, light grey leather covers the front seats and rear bench, and is in good condition, with some age-related marks but no noticeable damage. It is suspected that some sections of the front seats may have been reupholstered, but the general appearance is of a handsome patina throughout.

Given that this is a refined, classic Jaguar, it comes as little surprise that the interior is appointed with luxurious burred walnut trim, which covers the dashboard and door caps, while the steering wheel rim and window surrounds are clad in similarly elegant wood. All of the trims and inlays present very well, with little sign of fading, cracking or other damage. Almost all of the electrical items work as they should, with the only exception being one of the front fog lights. The other switches works correctly and they are in good condition.

This Jaguar MkII is in good running order, having been evidently well cared-for by its owners over the years. The engine shows strong oil pressure whether hot or cold, while the gearbox and rear axle are also working as they should, with no unusual noises or vibrations.

Its last service was carried out by the current keeper in August 2019, with the engine oil, oil filter and coolant being replaced. Prior to this, the front shock absorbers, rear brake caliper, brake pads and brake light switch were replaced in August 2016, and the oil, filter and coolant were replaced in March 2015.

Other maintenance carried out during the seller’s ownership has included refurbishment of the Lucas dynamo; replacement of the bushes in the upper wishbone, rear shock absorber and anti-roll bar; and the fitment of new track control arms. The car’s reliability has also been enhanced with a 123ignition electronic distributor with a new coil and plug leads – however the original distributor will also be supplied with the car. A full Bell stainless steel exhaust system is also fitted, and the manifold studs have been replaced.

The seller has noted some faults and foibles, arguably commensurate with any 1960s classic, including minor engine oil leaks and a weeping differential. It is also stated that the idle has dropped slightly since the electronic distributor was fitted and timing adjusted, so it may benefit from some fine-tuning. The seller reports that the engine sounds slightly tappety – especially when cold – but has been advised that this is not unusual.

Now exempt from annual MOT testing on the basis of age; the car was last tested on 28 July 2017 at 84,362 miles, where it received a clean, first-time pass without a single advisory notice – a testament to this MkII’s impressive overall condition. The wheels are fitted with 195/65 R15 Dunlop Le Mans LM703 tyres, which are all in good condition. They are date-coded to 2006, and still have 5mm of tread across most sections, with 4mm on the nearside front. The tyre on the spare wheel is new.

Accompanying the car is an original tool kit, wheel nut removal tool, and two workshop manuals, as well as the spare wire wheel and original distributor. It is presented with a Jaguar Heritage Certificate that details its factory specification and UK delivery as noted above, and there are also receipts in the file covering some recent work in the UK as well as a printed list of services while in Japan.

This Jaguar MkII is a handsome 1960s saloon, which embodies the marque’s classic tenets of ‘Grace, Space and Pace’. Configured with the sought-after 3.8-litre engine with a manual transmission for maximum driver involvement, this example will make a worthy addition to any collection, and its smart condition – both inside and out – can still turn heads wherever it goes.

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