Vehicle Description
Stunning restoration, multiple JCNA award winner. Desirable
3.8/automatic combination. Factory AM/FM radio, full tool kit, wire
wheels, WWW radials. Superb driver still capable of winning awards.
The dark blue paint simply glows on the curvaceous Mark II bodywork
and sadly, the lights in our studio simply don't do it justice-in
the sunlight this car is a traffic-stopper. Finish quality is
surely better than Jaguar's own work in 1960, with even gaps,
laser-straight sheetmetal, and precise fit and finish that makes it
feel far more expensive than it is. As a unit-body car, the Mark 2
is particularly susceptible to rust, but as a lifetime southern car
this one had no such issues and demonstrates almost 100% original
bodywork and floors, so there are no concerns about nasty surprises
hiding underneath. And as an upscale machine, there's lots of
chrome-all of it restored to show standards-which adds the right
amount of elegance to the mid-sized Jag. Accessory driving lights,
bumper guards, and fender-mounted mirrors help with the sporty
elegance. This is the kind of car you can spend a great deal of
time admiring and still not see all the wonderful details. Nobody
else on the planet has yet matched the British for their interior
craftsmanship. Aromatic leathers, deep, plush carpets, lustrous
burled walnut, all of it makes for one of the most inviting
passenger compartments ever devised. THIS is what luxury looks
like. During the restoration, the interior was restored to factory
specifications and is just delightful. Thanks to rare reclining
front seats, it still feels sporting and the large steering wheel
was very much in fashion in 1960. Big Smiths gauges are traditional
British fare and they all work properly, as does the
original-equipment Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, which must have been
cutting-edge tech in 1960. Seat belts were added at some point and
look like they were born in the car and there's virtually zero wear
on any of the leather seating surfaces-this car is extremely
well-preserved. Rear seat space is reasonable for adults and it
includes such niceties as fold-down tray tables, opera lights, and
a center armrest. The trunk is surprisingly big for a car this
size, and it includes a matching full-sized spare, original jack,
brass hammer, and a complete factory tool kit. There are stories in
England of the Mark 2 being bank robbers' favorite getaway car, and
that's surely due to the burly 3.8 liter DOHC inline-6 borrowed
from the XK150. Fully rebuilt and highly detailed, the
numbers-matching six was rebuilt by noted Jaguar expert Earl Gibbs
at North Coast Exotics. As a result, this cat runs as great as it
looks, starting easily and idling with a bit of an anxious burble
from the twin stainless pipes out back-this is a sports car engine,
after all. The giant Coopers air cleaner dominates the engine bay,
hiding the lovely polished aluminum cam covers and side-draft SU
carburetors, but there's no hiding the 220 horsepower it generates.
Chokes were automatic by 1960, so it starts right up and on the
road, the combination of all that creamy-smooth torque and the
automatic transmission make this car shockingly easy to drive
quickly. The exhaust manifolds are properly porcelainized and the
polished aluminum bits shine just right. Did you expect less from a
former JCNA award winner? The Mark 2 was a unit-body car, using
subframes and welded chassis members to provide strength. The car
was not disassembled down to the molecular level for the
restoration because there's some merit to the idea that good
original cars simply work and feel better than cars that have been
disassembled, and that's certainly the case here. Since the car
comes from a warm, dry climate, there was no need for any rust
repair to the underbody and the structural members are completely
sound. The front suspension was rebuilt and the 4-wheel disc brakes
remain very modern-feeling and effective. The Borg-Warner 3-speed
automatic transmission should not be considered a demerit in this
car, as it has great ratios and quick reflexes suitable to the
Jag's grand touring mission. Combined with power steering, it
remains eminently easy to handle for any driver at any level. A new
exhaust system offers the same soundtrack enjoyed by the owner of a
XK-150 sports car and the independent front suspension offers the
same steering precision so it's just joyous to drive. Sparkling
chrome wire wheels have been fitted, along with a set of modern
195/75/15 wide whitewall radials for a period look and modern
performance. This is surely one of the finest of its kind available
anywhere. Prices are on the move for the Mark 2 as enthusiasts
discover the joys of a sporting car that can carry the entire
family. The restoration cost a good deal more than the asking
price, not counting the cost of a clean California car, making this
the right car to buy if you're ready to drive. It measures up in
every way that matters and is still one of the prettiest cars we've
ever featured. Call today! For more details and photos, please
visit www.HarwoodMotors.com Harwood Motors always recommends and
welcomes personal or professional inspections on any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.