Vehicle Description
Offered for sale is an absolutely stunning 1961 Jaguar MK 2 3.8L
Saloon with a four-speed manual gearbox and overdrive and finished
in timeless Indigo Blue over a freshly (and correctly)
reupholstered Tan leather interior. When the current owner bought
the car two years ago, it was a very solid original example,
presentable and mechanically serviceable, but not up to his
exacting standards. As such, he commissioned a two year restoration
with British Sports Cars in San Luis Obispo which included a
complete engine rebuild, the installation of a rebuilt four speed
manual transmission (with overdrive), comprehensive mechanical
sorting, new paint, a new interior, tons of new chrome, new wheels
and tires, etc., etc. All said and done, the total restoration bill
came to more than $62k, and the end result is undoubtedly one of
the most beautiful, best running and driving examples in the
country. A departure from the boat-sized preceding models, the MK 2
had all of the fixings of the new Jaguar saloons: headlights
incorporated into the fenders, swooping graceful lines and
brightwork that verged on the embarrassing; in short, everything
that the proper 1960s gentleman had come to expect. But the MK II
was a different, more evolved cat, one that had learned that
aggression was not only to be respected but also praised. In its
time there was no other sedan that better coupled refined styling
and wonderful performance, and everything that followed (namely the
XJ) didn't really hold a candle, as illuminated by current
valuations. The Indigo finish is gorgeous - deep, lustrous and
consistent, cloaking an entirely straight original body with
factory correct panel fits and gaps. One small imperfection has
been touched up adjacent to the driver side roof channel, but it's
difficult to see and doesn't show up in any of the pictures. The
chrome and glass is all in great shape throughout, and the knock
off wire wheels are wrapped in nearly new Vredestein tires. The
car's interior has been entirely reupholstered in gorgeous, supple
tan leather, the dash, and interior wood trim was completely
refinished and the headliner and carpets are all flawless. The car
is also fitted with an air conditioning unit in the trunk, which
blows cold through vents on deck behind the rear seats.
Mechanically the car is superb, the original 3.8L engine starting
effortlessly, idling consistently and pulling strong and smoothly
through each of the transmission's gears. No overheating, no
visible leaks, the car runs and brakes straight and true and is
easily the tightest MK 2 we've ever had the pleasure of driving.
The odometer shows 62k miles, and while it's believed that this is
original to the chassis, supporting documentation isn't available.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the nicest MK
2's in the country: cosmetically gorgeous and mechanically
excellent, with all work having been recently performed by a
respected marque expert.