Jaguar Mk II 3.8 (1960)

History of the event

The Jaguar Mark 2 or MK2 (which means series two) is a Jaguar car model marketed from 1959 to 1967. Very popular in competition (tourism category), the MK2 has notably won the Tour de France automobile four times in a row in the hands of Bernard Consten. "The most beautiful car in the world", the fastest production sedan in the world"... the Mk2 is no exception. She put sport within reach of fathers' steering wheel.

The Mk2 was available in three engines: 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8 litres, with manual transmissions, with or without overdrive, or automatic, especially for the United States

Version 2.4 was an honest, unpretentious sedan with a certain softness, which was no longer the case with the 3.4. The 3.8 was the most sporty, it ran, and won, many rallies including the Tour de France auto. She also distinguished herself in Monte-Carlo, but without winning it. It was the big MkVII at the end of her career that was the only Jaguar to win this event, despite the participation of the XK120, XK140, Mk2 and Type E.

The Mk2 has brought some significant technical innovations: it was the first self-supporting hull car, i. e. without a separate chassis, of the brand. It had an independent wheel suspension at the rear and disc brakes at all four wheels. The hull and XK engine were the same for all three Mk2 models and had the same finish. The wider rear track than the Mk1's improved the car's handling.

Its performances were impressive for the time and remain more than honest forty years later (220 hp, 125mph or 200 km/h, 0-100 in 8.5 seconds).

The Mk2 also arrived at the time of the commissioning of the motorway network, which allowed more than 160 people to "cross" comfortably.

It was the first major sports car by allowing sedans to have the performance of sports cars. In the 1960s, it was as much the car of criminals as that of police officers (in Great Britain). Bank hold-ups could not be complete without a leakage Mk2 and a pursuit Mk2.

It was a luxurious sedan in which leather, walnut burl and picnic tables at the rear of the seats were standard, but, as time has shown, reclining seats at the front were optional.

It has built up an impressive list of international rally successes in the hands of top drivers. By winning many races in the tourism or improved tourism category.

The factory has produced a very small series of a dozen cars each year from 59 to 64 called "Tour de France". They have been ordered by drivers or individuals to enter rallies. Recognizable with about ten specific features including: 3.5-turn steering gear, dural shims for the front axle, rear axle bracket reinforcements, Moss close ratio gearbox, two SU H8 carbus or three HD6 or HD8 carbus. One or two tanks in the trunk, filled from above. Some of them had aluminium elements.

Description

The car we are offering you has been completely restored in 2014 with a reset of the odometer. The car was manufactured by the VICARAGE workshops with a multitude of options in the 90s... it is a 3L8 with a 5-speed Getrag manual gearbox, power steering, air conditioning. The restoration is of high quality, the bodywork and chassis are in excellent condition, the luxurious interior is sumptuous with leather and an exceptional burr walnut dashboard.

The particularity of this MK2 is that it has been prepared for driving in extreme comfort. The pilot and his co-pilot are comfortably welcomed in enveloping leather XJ seats! The car is equipped with power windows and a power sunroof.

Mechanically, the cooling has been improved and the suspensions are more reinforced with a larger set of tires than originally planned.

An MK2 prepared like the good old days!

Our opinion

If you want to ride old-fashioned with the performance of a modern car in optimum comfort and performance, this magnificent Jaguar 3L8 is your next partner! Its dull and singing sound will intoxicate you with happiness and intoxication. Its Westminster blue colour will carry the colours of a first-rate Jaguar with its speed and timeless design, a real ruby!!!!!!

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