1959 Jaguar Mk1 3.4ltr

The example on offer today is a desirable 3.4 litre version of the legendary MKI. The vehicle was built in 1959 and delivered new to Paris, France. The Jaguar is equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, a manual gearbox and has been upgraded for regularity rallies. Initially delivered in the colour combination of red over black leather, the car was restored in 2007 and repainted gun metal grey. It is said to be a very reliable and capable vehicle and is presented in perfect driving condition.

Our Mark I is in generally good condition from outside. The grey paint has a nice amount of patina to it and most importantly appears to be rust-free. Some imperfections are visible, especially around the passenger door handle. For the moment, this does not pose a major issue and is merely esthetical. Given that the car has been used for regularity rallies and driven a lot, some stone chips are perfectly normal – they show that the Jaguar was used as intended by its current owner! The chromes are in very nice condition with only minor corrosion visible on the door handles. Here again, these are normal traces of wear on a 63-year old car. The black wire wheels, in nice condition, are fitted with Vredestein Classic tires that have been fitted merely two years ago and still have enough thread for many more adventures. As is visible in the pictures, some accessories have been added to the car to prepare it for rallying. These include grilles on the front lights, fog lights (with some damp inside, easily fixed), leather straps to hold the bonnet in place and a variety of badges from driver’s clubs.

The inside of the vehicle is in very good condition. The interior has at some point been restored and has stood the test of time quite well. During the restoration, the original black colour of the leather seats was maintained. The carpets, of red colour, have been replaced only a year ago. The white roof liner is not damaged in any way, and the same can be said about the beautifully finished wooden dashboard. Useful upgrades inside the cabin include a discreetly fitted power steering, a tripmaster in the glove compartment and some 12-volt electricity plugs underneath the dashboard. The owner reports that the only thing that is not working is the clock, a rather common issue with Jaguars of the era. In the trunk, you will be pleased to find a complete and original toolkit, a spare wheel and more than enough luggage space for your next trip to the alps.

The good news continues underneath the vehicle, which is in very good condition with no major rust visible. This is clearly an example that has been driven a lot, but simultaneously maintained by experts. The owner confirms this and tells us that the car was prepared and regularly maintained by the official service engineer of the Dutch Mille Miglia participants. Differential, gearbox, and engine do not show signs of noteworthy oil leaks and a service was done only two months ago.

The engine bay is clean and the owner reports that the numbers are supposedly matching. The air filter box was replaced with two single air filters that sit directly on the SU carburettors. We have no information about major works to the engine, but the owner confirms it runs as it should. If you consider making a bid on this vehicle, we would be pleased to welcome you at our facilities for you to inspect the car in person.

The example on offer was delivered new to Paris in France where it was sold new by the official distributor Royal-Elysées of rue Longchamp of Mr Delecroix in the 16th arrondissement. After a few years, ownership passed to a Marseille-based doctor, whose numberplates of the 13th department Bouches du Rhône still accompany the car. In 2001, the MKI was sold to the Netherlands where it was treated to a complete body restoration of which various pictures and documents are on file. The consignor purchased the Jaguar in 2013 from the prominent Houtkamp Collection and has used it extensively for regularity rallies since.

Jaguar MKI are very capable and elegant cars that are suitable for a variety of uses. Be it the weekly Sunday drive, a daily drive to the office, a yearly trip to the Alps or long-distance regularity rallies – a well-prepared MKI can do it all. The example on offer has been used in all kinds of conditions by the consignor and has been a reliable companion for the past ten years. It is now time for another caretaker to take over and if you have been looking for one of these elegant motorcars, this could well be the right candidate for you.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Rotterdam; 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’.