1961 Jaguar Mk 2 3.4

• Subject of an older restoration but still presenting very well
• Finished in Opalescent Silver Blue with a smart light grey leather interior
• Owned by our vendor, a Main Board Director of Jaguar Cars, for four years
• Just four previous keepers and a mere 44,739 miles from new supported by an in-depth history file
• It would appear that the previous owner spent some £11,000 on maintenance and improvements
• Recently fitted with a new radiator fitted along with some rear seat belts and a small service

The retrospectively titled Mark 1 - Jaguar's first unitary construction saloon - was replaced in October 1959 by the closely related, albeit extensively revised, Mark 2. Slimmer windscreen pillars and deeper side windows greatly enlarged the Mark 2's glass area, and the deletion of its predecessor's full-sized rear wheel spats allowed the rear track to be widened, a move which increased roll resistance and stability. Otherwise, the running gear remained much the same as before, with independent front suspension by wishbones and coil springs, leaf-sprung live rear axle, and Dunlop servo-assisted disc brakes (optional at first on the Mark 1 but standard from November 1957) on all four wheels. A redesigned dashboard with speedometer and rev-counter ahead of the driver and the six toggle switches and four minor gauges grouped centrally, established Jaguar's layout for years to come.

According to the Jaguar Heritage Certificate supplied by the vendor, 288 AVA was manufactured on the 9th of March 1961, distributed by Ritchies of Glasgow and first owned by A G McFadden & Co Ltd of Glasgow. Finished in sparkling Opalescent Silver Blue with a gently-patinated Light Grey hide interior, this 3.4-litre, manual gearbox with overdrive example has been enjoyed by just five keepers in total, the current being a Main Board Director of Jaguar Cars, and has clearly been cosseted all its life. The radiator was replaced and rear seat belts installed in 2019 along with a full service by Clarke’s Jaguar and Classic Motor Cars Ltd. (CMC) of Shropshire to the tune of £3,200.

Prior to our vendor, the previous two owners entrusted the car to Classic Motor Cars for regular maintenance and there are invoices in the file going back to 2011 detailing some £23,000 of investment suggesting that this lovely Mk2 has been looked after with no expense spared. The car is supplied with an interesting history file containing a Mk 2 Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook along with a selection of old MOTs and a hand-written booklet from previous keepers detailing work carried out over time, a nice touch. Having covered just 44,739 miles from new, supported by the documented history, this venerable Jaguar has not travelled far in its 60 years and would be a welcome addition to any collection, however, we feel that it should really be out and about, doing the things that sporting Jaguars from the Sixties do best.