Vehicle Description
From the mid-1950s onward, Jaguar enjoyed considerable success
thanks in large part to its highly advanced "XK" family of twin-cam
inline six-cylinder engines. This engine is best known for its
tenure in the XK120, 140, and 150 sports cars, and in race trim, it
powered the C-Type and D-Type sports cars to an impressive six
victories in the 24h of Le Mans. While it will always be known for
its sporting ability, the XK was quite versatile, and its power and
refinement made the big Mk VII and Mk IX luxury saloons some of the
best of the best of their class - while also capable of mopping up
the competition in British Saloon Car racing with the likes of
Stirling Moss and Roy Salvadori at the wheel. The success of the
large saloon cars allowed Jaguar to capitalize on its reputation
with a new, smaller saloon that would appeal to a broader market.
The new mid-sized four-door debuted in 1955, equipped with 2.4 or
3.4-liter versions of the twin-cam inline-six. The new car featured
Jaguar's first-ever road-going monocoque chassis, with independent
front suspension and a solid-rear axle shared with the XK sports
car. The curvaceous sheet metal showed a family resemblance to its
sporting brethren but was altogether unique in its form. Despite
its smaller size and lower price point, it was still very much a
Jaguar and therefore featured beautiful Connolly leather, wool
rugs, and luxurious wood trimmings. In 1959, Jaguar updated the
previous 2.4/3.4 and renamed it "Mark II." The styling was
freshened up with a larger greenhouse, and more delicate,
chrome-trimmed window frames. However, the big news was the
addition of the new 3.8-liter engine shared with the XK150,
slightly detuned in twin-carburetor spec, but still highly
effective in propelling the mid-sized four-door along with vigor. A
large number of US-spec cars came with the proven Borg-Warner
3-speed automatic transmission, which suited the car's split
personality quite well. Particularly when fitted with the 3.8 l
engine, the MkII is both a luxurious sedan and a formidable
performance machine that could easily show proper sports cars a
clean set of heels. Offered here is an excellent example of
Jaguar's genre-defining sports saloon. This particular car hails
from 1963, and features the desirable 3.8-liter variant of the XK
twin-cam inline-six, paired with a Borg-Warner automatic
transmission. The Heritage Certificate shows the date of
manufacture as December 14, 1962, and it left Coventry bound for
Jaguar Cars, New York one week later. The original owner is not
recorded, however the original service booklet suggests that person
may have been a Dr. G.L. Saiger of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Service
stamps in the book also show the car was likely sold new by Ken
Rambler-Jaguar of Paramus. Little else of the early history is
known. In the early 1990s, the Mk II found a long-term home with
another New Jersey resident and long-time Jaguar enthusiast. During
his tenure, he treated the Jaguar to the restoration it wears
today, including a respray in the current shade of opalescent light
blue and an interior retrim in black Connolly leather. It remained
with the same family until the owner's passing in 2013. Thanks to
consistent care and maintenance, this lovely MkII has an attractive
and honest character that invites regular use. The attractive
metallic blue paint is in very good condition overall, accentuating
the curves and lines of the MkII beautifully. A couple of minor
imperfections are noted on inspection, which do little to detract
from the appealing looks. The exterior brightwork is also in good
order, showing some light hazing that is consistent with age and
care. It rides on original color-keyed steel disc wheels with
factory-correct wheel covers and trim rings. Recent black-wall
Blockley radials provide ample grip and surefooted handling while
maintaining a period-correct appearance. A full restoration of the
interior took place around the same time as the bodywork. The black
Connolly leather has assumed a rich character from regular use
particularly on the front seats, while the rear bench remains taut
and appears to have seen little use since its restoration. Carpets
are very tidy and fit well, and the same goes for the
leather-upholstered console and door panels. Switches, controls,
and instruments are all factory-correct items. A hallmark of the Mk
II cabin is the luxurious burl wood trim gracing the dash, door
caps, and window surrounds, all of which present in very good
condition, with a light patina consistent with the older, lovingly
maintained restoration. This car retains its original,
numbers-matching 3.8-liter inline-six, which is tidy and orderly,
with primarily factory-correct fittings and accessories. The proper
Coopers air cleaner dominates the engine bay, feeding a cast alloy
airbox and twin SU carburetors. Detailing is good, with the correct
medium blue-painted cylinder head and black porcelain exhaust
manifolds in excellent condition. The engine runs well, with the
torquey, free-revving character expected of a good Mk II. Power is
fed through a 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission and on to
the Salisbury rear axle with Thornton limited-slip diff - which was
standard on the high-performance 3.8-liter models. Beautifully
styled, rapid, and with room for the family, Jaguar's
ground-breaking Mk II is one of the most versatile collector cars
of the era. This lovely and road-ready Mk II 3.8 is the ideal
candidate for regular driving, club events, and touring, and will
surely be a welcome addition to any Jaguar enthusiast's garage.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6579-1963-jaguar-mkii-3-8-saloon/
