1959 Jaguar MK2

Bought from renowned Jaguar specialists JD Classics five years ago, this wonderful Jaguar MKII 3.8 might just be the very best on offer in the UK today.

Restored to JD Classics usual high standards, the straight-six engine is mated to an upgraded five-speed gearbox, giving you the very best of all worlds. It’s finished in Gunmetal too, with a classic red leather and walnut interior.

Tweaked with a few judicious upgrades to further aid drivability and reliability, this really is a dream specification example and we can’t think of a single thing we’d change.

The balance between conservation and restoration is a tricky one but if you’re going to take the latter route then there was no better way than to hand it over to folk like JD Classics. As you can see, they’ve created something very special here.

The Gunmetal bodywork speaks of many long hours tweaking it into position to get the optimum panel alignment and even gaps. All that hard work paid off because we can’t remember seeing a straighter example. Of course, the colour and quality of the paintwork helps, creating a hewn-from-solid look we love.

The chromework is also some of the best we’ve seen, with a depth to its shine that only comes with hours and hours of polishing before it hits the chrome bath. Badging, light lens, and glazing are all good, too.

The chromed wire wheels and period-correct Avon Radial Steel tyres are yet another example of the staggering attention to detail that runs through the entire car.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

All-in-all, the fit and finish of this MKII is better than anything that ever left the Jaguar factory in period and stands as a testament to what is possible given a large enough budget and one of the most talented workforces in the business.

It doesn’t end with great coachwork, either. The red leather and walnut interior is, again, one of the very best we’ve ever seen. Very nearly as good now as it was when it was installed in January 2012, the red leather seats and trim, along with the genuine Wilton carpets, are all still excellent with only a hint of creasing to the surface of the driver’s seat.

Jewels of chrome are dotted throughout and they, as well as the neat rows of switchgear and instrumentation, blend harmoniously to create one of the all-time great car interiors. All of this, too, is in great shape with only the odd minor blemish (i.e. #69) and needs nothing apart from continued love.

Other delightful touches include a lovely five-speed gearknob, a wood-rimmed Mota-Lita steering wheel, a lovely bracket for the hazard warning lights, and a modern Pioneer headunit cunningly hidden in the glovebox.

The boot is as clean and well presented as everywhere else. It’s home to the original steering wheel plus a trickle charger, spare wire wheel, and full tool kit.

The factory Moss gearbox could be a bit hit and miss, and many think it spoils what is otherwise a great car, so the installation of a modern five-speed gearbox like this one eradicates that problem at a stroke and turns the MKII into the car it always could have been.

The paperwork shows the engine was overhauled in 2010 by Mannessen Engines and a 123 Ignition System was installed and professionally set up in 2016. There’s a Kenwood electric fan in there as well, which helps make for trouble-free summer motoring.

As you can see, it bursts into life at the press of a button. It ticks over beautifully and shows good oil pressure. It drives as well as you’d imagine and is an absolute joy to pilot, drawing nothing but admiring glances along the way.

One of us used to commute through Leeds city centre in one of these and journey times were slashed as people fell over themselves to let us out of junctions. One of the many joys of owning a MKII is that there is never any envy, only happiness and admiration. This might sound like marketing hyperbole but it isn’t, and a positive reaction like the one a Jaguar inspires makes the whole ownership experience so much more pleasant.

The engine bay itself is nothing short of glorious. We could waffle on for hours about details like the cover for the heater box and the glass Lucas Screenjet washer fluid reservoir but why not feast your eyes on the photos or, better still, make an appointment to pop along to see it in person? We promise you won’t be disappointed.

First registered in the Netherlands, it left the factory painted Sherwood Green with a tan interior according to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate that comes with the car.

It also comes with its original log book, old-style registration document, and its handbook.

The Jaguar doesn’t have a current MOT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MOT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The Jaguar MKII is a classic and never more so than when fitted with the top-of-the-range 3.8-litre engine and an upgraded gearbox. Throw in Gunmetal coachwork, wire wheels and one of the nicest interiors we’ve ever laid eyes on and you’re looking at the quintessential English sporting saloon.

We’re big fans of them here in the office and having run a few can confirm they’re every bit as much of a hooligan’s car as you’d hope and this, allied to the public’s fondness for them, means that running one can be an absolute joy.

As long as you buy the right one, of course. And this is very much made of The Right Stuff, which means that while it isn’t going to be the cheapest one you’ll find for sale it might just be the most cost-effective.

But, enough waffling: How much is it going to cost you to make it yours? Well, we think it’ll settle somewhere between £45,000 and £55,000, which is good value when you consider how popular it’s likely to be when the time comes to let it go.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.