Description

1962 Jaguar MkII 3.8 MOD

Fully restored some years ago and featured in many magazine articles; recent £28k mechanical overhaul; XJS power steering, synchromesh gearbox and unleaded head; super condition throughout

This Jaguar Mk2 3.8 comes with a very large history file extending back many years. The Heritage Certificate shows that it was built in July 1961 although it was not registered until March 1962. Originally Opalescent Dark Green with a Suede Green interior and a Moss overdrive gearbox, it was supplied new via Henlys of London and had one owner until 1984 with just four more owners since, all detailed in the history file.

The original engine (LB5159-8) was damaged by frost in the mid-1970s so it was replaced by the 3.8 unit currently in the car (7B7895-8). In 1995 the bodywork was completely restored and treated to a bare metal repaint in Signal Red by Spectrum Coachworks of East Sussex.

In 1996 the Jaguar was offered for sale by Bespoke Classics of Watford from whom the previous (4^th) owner acquired it in 1997. He was to keep it for the next 22 years, never using it in the rain, getting it serviced every year and taking it to many shows and JEC events.

Soon after buying the car he had it converted to XJS rack-and-pinion power steering and also fitted electronic ignition, inertia reel seat belts and central locking with a remote alarm system. In 1998 (at 80,300 miles) the Moss ‘crash’ gearbox was replaced by a later synchromesh unit along with a complete new clutch kit. The cylinder head was rebuilt to make it suitable for unleaded fuel and the whole car was injected with waxoil and thoroughly undersealed, all this work being carried out by Jaguar main agents, Evans Halshaw.

In 2017 (at 90,964 miles) the car was treated to a further bout of mechanical fettling by The Jag Shop of London which took 11 weeks to complete and cost £28,236, all detailed in photos and invoices on file. Highlights include:

Engine and transmission removed, stripped, reconditioned and fitted with all new cooling hoses and drive belts, filters, spark plugs, coolant and lubricant. Cylinder head removed, stripped, valve seats ground, 6 new exhaust valves fitted, tappets shimmed correctly and reassembled.

Engine block stripped, cleaned and rebuilt with new timing chains, guides and dampers, big end and main bearings replaced (std), all piston rings replaced (.030”), thrust washers renewed. Crankshaft machined to carry modern rear oil seal.

Overdrive removed from gearbox, fully reconditioned and refitted with new gaskets and seals. New 3-piece clutch kit, clutch slave cylinder and flexible hose fitted, flywheel skimmed and balanced. Carburettors stripped, cleaned, and reconditioned, new metering needles and gaskets. New exhaust manifolds, studs, nuts and sealing rings fitted.

Front sub-frame removed, stripped, reconditioned and refitted. All 4 sub-frame metalastik mountings replaced. Upper and lower wishbone bushes, top and bottom ball-joints renewed, lower wishbone fulcrum pins replaced with new, sub frame cleaned and painted. New anti-roll bar bushes. Front wheel bearings, brake pistons, brake discs, friction pads, and brake-lines renewed.

Rear axle and suspension overhauled. Rear wheel bearings, brake pistons, bleed screws, brake discs, friction pads fitted, parking-brake callipers overhauled and pads renewed. Panhard rod and both torque arms replaced with new. Differential pinion oil-seal and gasket replaced, half-shaft to hub keys renewed. New Dunlop 185/15 SP Sports tyres all round.

Our vendor acquired the car at an auction in London in 2019 (for considerably more than the guide price suggested here) and has continued to look after it well. It has only covered some 2,000 miles since the 2017 rebuild (the odometer currently showing 93,059 miles) and has been kept garaged and used in fine weather only for the last 25 years or more.

Documentation includes records of all previous owners; many old MOTs extending back to the 1990s, the last of which expired in July 2022 with no advisories recorded; a 2017 valuation for £75,000; many restoration invoices and photographs; original owner’s handbook, lubrication chart and sales brochure; Heritage Certificate etc. The car has also been featured in various magazines over the years with copies retained in the history file.

Starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with good 40psi oil pressure, this much-cherished, sensibly uprated and freshly rejuvenated Jaguar is ready for a new owner to enjoy.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]