HISTORY OF THE JAGUAR MARK 2
Introduced to the public in December of 1959, the Jaguar Mark II
Saloon was the culmination of lessons learned from the earlier Mark
I models. Development began in the summer of 1958, with Jaguar
focusing on improved heating and ventilation, enhanced outward
visibility via larger glass areas, and a more driver-oriented
interior layout.
Stylistic updates-many reportedly overseen personally by Sir
William Lyons-included a reshaped grille, revised rear styling, and
larger windows that dramatically reduced the traditional � blind
spots. Mechanically, the Mark II benefited from standard four-wheel
disc brakes, a major improvement over its predecessor, along with
optional features such as Burman power steering and a Borg-Warner
three-speed automatic transmission.
The additional comfort and safety features added weight, prompting
Jaguar to offer a range of more powerful engines. Production
spanned roughly ten years, beginning with the 3.4 Litre XK engine
and culminating in the famed 3.8 Litre variant, offered with either
8:1 or 9:1 compression depending on market. Output for the 3.8 was
rated at approximately 220 horsepower.
The Mark II quickly gained notoriety for combining strong
performance with four-door practicality, earning fame in motorsport
as well as among police forces and-less officially-criminals.
Competition success included victories at the Australian Touring
Car Championship, the Motor Six Hours International Saloon Car Race
(1962 & 1963), and the 1963 European Touring Car Challenge.
By 1967, the Mark II name was retired, with production continuing
through 1969 under the 240 and 340 designations. Today, the Mark II
is widely regarded as one of Jaguar's most celebrated sporting
saloons and among the last of the truly classic-era designs.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The 1966 Jaguar Mark II 3.4 Litre Saloon offered here is presented
in its factory-correct color combination of Black over a Red
interior and features an incredibly rare Golde "cranking" steel
sliding sunroof. Per the accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
Certificate, Chassis No. P180666 was completed at the Coventry
works on November 23rd, 1966, and dispatched to Jaguar Cars New
York the following month. Chassis No. P180666 was sold new by
Boulevard Buick-Jaguar in Long Beach, California as documented by
its accompanying original Jaguar warranty certificate in June 1967
and as such was registered as a 1967 model with the California VIN
of J67P180666. The recorded first owner, John R. Kates, was a Los
Angeles native who, at the time of purchase, was working for his
family's news magazine, Sunset News Co. An original California
Black Plate Car, the Mark II carried registration UUH 638, a plate
it reportedly retained until leaving California for Missouri in
2005!
While the duration of Kates' ownership remains unknown, service
stamps in the original warranty booklet document the car's return
to the selling dealer for maintenance as late as June 1968, by
which time it had accumulated 15,000 miles. By the late 1980s, the
Mark II was languishing as part of an estate in Glendale,
California, where it was acquired by avid vintage racer, collector,
and future Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judge Jerry
Rosenstock.
During Rosenstock's ownership, P180666 underwent a sympathetic
restoration, believed to have included refinishing the exterior,
reupholstering the interior, and refreshing the brightwork.
Additional improvements included suspension upgrades, a new set of
72-spoke chrome wire wheels, and the installation of an aftermarket
air-conditioning system utilizing then-new components. Together,
these enhancements improved the Jaguar's handling and comfort,
making it an even more enjoyable sporting saloon for cruising
Southern California.
The car's distinctive specification eventually caught the attention
of Sports Car International, which featured P180666 in a five-page
article in the spring of 1998. A framed copy of the article
accompanies the car today, along with its original UUH 638
black-and-yellow California license plate.
In 2005, P180666 was acquired by a St. Louis, Missouri-based
collector who retained the car for nearly two decades. During his
ownership, the Mark II was exhibited at a 2008 Jaguar Clubs of
North America (JCNA) event in St. Louis, where it earned Best
Jaguar in Class honors. The commemorative award plaque still
accompanies the car today.
In the summer of 2022, the Jaguar was brought to IT'S ALIVE! for
service and reconditioning in preparation for resale.
Under the care of our in-house specialists, the Jaguar received a
new stainless-steel exhaust system, repairs to the previously
inoperative tachometer and windshield wiper motor, and a fresh set
of VREDESTEIN 185VR15 Sprint Classic tires mounted on the chrome
wire wheels with new Michelin inner tubes.
IT'S ALIVE! subsequently brokered the sale of P180666 to a local
customer, a respected member of the St. Louis classic sports car
community who cherished the Mark II. His appreciation for the car's
history was reflected in his decision to have the surviving
original California Black Plate professionally matted and framed
alongside pages from the 1998 Sports Car International article.
Following a change in the 2023 buyer's lifestyle, P180666 returned
to the open market and was subsequently acquired by IT'S ALIVE! as
part of our collection of unique Jaguar offerings.
Today, the Mark II performs as well as it presents. The Black paint
retains an extraordinary amount of depth and clarity despite being
more than two decades old, no doubt a reflection of the quality of
paintwork and preparation undertaken during the car's ownership by
respected collector and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judge
Jerry Rosenstock. The 72-spoke Chrome Wire Wheels further enhance
the car's curb appeal, while the VREDESTEIN Sprint Classic tires
installed in 2022 provide a period-correct appearance complemented
by modern tire construction.
Under the bonnet resides the Matching-Numbers 3.4 Litre DOHC
inline-six. The four-speed manual transmission is complemented by
desirable Laycock de Normanville Overdrive, an addition believed to
have been made early in the car's life. While the accompanying
Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirms the car was
originally equipped with a manual transmission, the absence of the
factory DN suffix indicates that Overdrive was not part of its
original specification. Nevertheless, the system is known to have
been installed prior to Mr. Rosenstock's acquisition in 1988.
The interior wood remains vibrant, complementing the previously
restored Red interior with its leather trimmings, while the Golde
steel sliding sunroof operates easily via its distinctive chrome
folding crank handle. The five-digit odometer displays
approximately 94,400 miles, a number believed to represent the
total mileage accrued from new.
IT'S ALIVE! is pleased to offer this restored California Black
Plate Mark II Sunroof Saloon, featuring seldom-seen equipment and
documented ownership provenance, to the next collector or
enthusiast seeking one of Britain's most celebrated sporting
saloons. If you are the next caretaker of this iconic Jaguar,
please contact us at (314) 710-6600 ext. 140 or email
[email protected].
*Please note the following:
1) This vehicle was first registered in California as a 1967 model
and as such contains a J67 prefix on the title VIN in front of the
traditional Chassis No.
2) This vehicle is not located at our main facility in Bridgeton,
MO 63044. Vehicle is available for inspection by appointment only.
*
