1968 Jaguar MKII 340

One of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the Jaguar MkII was launched to huge acclaim in 1959. The top-of-the-range 3.8-litre model had stunning performance from its 220bhp straight-six engine and could embarrass most sports cars of the day, leaving them trailing in its 125mph wake. Keeping everything under control were servo-assisted disc brakes all round, coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle with optional limited slip differential. The interior was beautifully trimmed with Walnut veneers and soft leather in the finest Jaguar tradition.

The entry-level model was the 2.4-litre which was virtually identical in every way to the 3.8 apart from the smaller engine. Although the 2.4 is often unkindly thought of as being a trifle underpowered, in reality it performed well for the period being capable of a genuine 100mph and was only shown up against its brawnier 3.4 and 3.8 siblings - although some would argue that the lighter engine gave it better handling.

From September 1967, the Jaguar MkII range was replaced by the 240 and 340 models with slimmer bumpers, chrome grilles in place of the front fog lights and Ambla, rather than leather, interiors. Introduced to keep the range attractively priced until the launch of the new XJ6 in September 1968, some 2,788 340s were made during the period - the 240 carrying on as a budget model for some time to come. The good news was, that thanks to a new straight port cylinder head and twin SU carbs, a 240 was noticeably quicker than a 2.4 and a 340 had at least the performance of the old 3.8.

This delightful, left-hand drive 340 is finished in Gun Metal with Red Leather seats and a wood veneered dashboard. The Jaguar has been enjoyed by four owners in total, one for 32 years!!. We understand that it was restored in 1986 by a Jaguar main dealer, and there are only a few small photographs of this, however, the car's condition speaks for itself. The body looks absolutely straight, the 'shut lines' are excellent and the paintwork has the sort of deep lustre only achieved by good preparation. The interior is essentially original and is excellent, considering that it's 20 years since the restoration, with only some light patination on the seats and no cracks on the dashboard.The engine bay is very tidy. as is the rest of the car and, in fact, it recently placed well in a local Concours. The current owner has ensured that it has been regularly serviced by specialists, and with 214,000 kms. indicated, this is a very original, matching numbers car and an absolutely 'honest' old Jaguar, superbly presented.