1963 Jaguar MKII 3.8 Auto

The famed Jaguar MkII was voted car of the year when introduced in 1959. With 3 engine options - 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8 (the 3.8 being the fastest saloon in the world at the time), it would form the mainstay of Jaguar's saloon production until 1967.

It became popular with the Police Force because its performance and reliability coincided with the opening of Britain's new motorway system (and was also driven equally fast by the corresponding villains of the day!). It also enjoyed competition success in the early days of the BTCC driven by many 60's period racers including Graham Hill and Jack Sears. The popular TV series 'Morse' also immortalised the shape of the Jag in the minds of a new generation of followers.

We are informed by the vendor who has owned this superb Jaguar since 1984 that the current mileage is just under 84000 miles and that ARF 385A fires readily from cold and soon settles to an even tick over with a notable burble, on the move there's plenty of performance and excellent torque from the 3.8 litre engine, the transmission works perfectly and delivers seamless gear changes all the way through acceleration and the overdrive unit also works without fault.

This particular car has been the subject of continual maintenance and improvement over the years both bodily and mechanically and as such remains in very good order to this day. The paint has a deep shine, the doors still close with a satisfying clunk and the bright work is reported as being generally good, with only some light tarnishing to both the front and rear bumper.

'Nicely mellowed' would be a good description of the interior, this Jaguar's interior is clad with cream leather and plenty of timber. The interior hide is original and has patinated nicely over the years. This Jaguar looks spot on sitting on those beautiful wire wheels.

Under bonnet appearance is good with everything looking both clean and fresh; the vendor informs us that the cylinder heads have been overhauled along with various other minor replacements to ensure it should give excellent service. It fires into life readily and sounds great, with a subdued and discreet exhaust burble.

Power delivery is smooth and can be easily provoked into a spirited sprint from low revs, the brakes are firm, pulling up straight and true which all adds to a superb driving experience. It's raffish and menacing and retains everything that Sir William Lyons wanted the MkII Jaguar to be, yet still embodies his guiding principles of 'grace, space and pace'. It is supplied with a fresh MOT, original buff log book and history folder and 13 previous MOT certificates and is ready to be driven and enjoyed in equal measures.