2023-01-13 09:31:31 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1965-jaguar-mk2-38-mod-41NoZ8_aaid=a5ce63ed-6419-48b8-adb6-8692f74daf04&bsft_eid=3bd43fe4-7155-4988-bb7 ...

Seller's description:

1964 Jaguar Mk2

Colour Blue

Odometer 7,569 Miles

Engine size 3800

Town Cape Town

Seller Type Private

Location International

Country South Africa

Desirable ‘all synchro’ manual overdrive 3.8

Older restoration with nice patina

Lovely colour combination

Power steering fitted

Dry climate location

Same owner since 1998

Restored in 1998 over one year

Last serviced one month ago

Matching numbers car

Factory built UK car

The Interior

Retrimmed in dark blue leather

Veneers in very good condition 

All lights and switches work correctly

The interior of a Mk2 is one of its greatest attractions, combining big comfy armchairs with a fascia filled with wood and character. The cost of maintaining all that detail craftsmanship can lead to some Mk2s feeling a little careworn inside. Not so this car, which has very good veneers with no obvious delamination across the dashboard, door tops or door surrounds. Only a small, localised area of damage around the glove box – caused by an attempted burglary – is visible in the photographs. 

All the lights and dials function correctly, except for the clock, which is a common Mk2 issue. The multitude of beautiful details that make a Mk2 interior so delightful, such as the chrome quarter light knobs and numerous chrome ashtrays, are all in very good working condition. A period radio is fitted and the Seller tells us that it works. 

The original red Ambla vinyl interior of this car was replaced when it was restored in 1998 with dark blue leather to complement the resprayed bodywork. The carpets were replaced at the same time and retain their colour and condition. 

Enthusiasts will notice that the detail stitching work on the front and rear seats differs from factory original specification, but they have been trimmed to a high standard and are very similar to the originals. Together with the carpets and door cards – which can be prone to distortion and warping - they are in good condition, reflecting the patina of 25 years of light use. 

The original complete tool kit is supplied with the car as well as a vynal boot cover. The original manual is also supplied but the Seller states that it is in poor condition. 

The Exterior

Full shell resprayed in 1998 to current opalescent blue

Good door and boot fit with no obvious deterioration

Older restoration with some light signs of regular use 

Brightwork complete, appears original and in good condition

Condition reflects life in a dry climate

The Mk2 may be beautiful, but its bodywork can also be its Achilles Heel. These cars rust and when they do all that swooping bodywork can be expensive to restore. Alongside the typical areas of arches, sills, wings and boot floors, Mk2s also rot out through the bases of the doors and boot due to blocked drainage channels, often caused by poor restorations. 

The photographs of this car indicate that it doesn’t suffer from those problems. It is an older restoration so there are signs of wear and tear, such as some small chips on the leading edge of the bonnet, localised deterioration of the offside rear spat and lower wheel arch and some cosmetic deterioration of the boot edge. Under the bonnet there is evidence of deterioration under the battery, which is a common Mk2 issue. The car’s life in a relatively dry climate has probably helped the 25 year old restoration stand up.

This Mk2 was originally cream white, but the Seller had it professionally resprayed when he bought it in 1998. He says that it is an original Jaguar colour – it appears to be Opalescent Silver Blue, a colour that was used on Mk2s in 1965 so would be period correct. 

The plethora of chrome brightwork on this car appears to be in good, original condition and is all complete. The chrome wire wheels are also good, with only some light damage to the spinners likely caused by removing and replacing them.  

The Mechanics

Matching numbers 3.8 litre XK engine

All synchro four speed overdrive manual gearbox

Power steering fitted

Factory standard specification

Last serviced in December 2022

Electronic ignition fitted

The XK engine and desirable all synchro box fitted to this car are generally very robust. Regular scheduled maintenance is vital and the Seller advises he has done this throughout his 25 years of ownership. This is a matching numbers car and although there is little service history, the Seller tells us that it is ‘lovely to drive’ with no untoward noises, creaks, rattles or other causes for concern. It is used regularly for leisure and weddings.

The Mk2 is a heavy car and many left the factory without the optional power steering. As a result they can be heavy and tiring to drive at low speeds and around town. Luckily this car is fitted with power steering, which transforms Mk2 ownership and makes this car much more useable and manoeuvrable for modern driving. 

Electronic ignition is a useful upgrade fitted to this car. It is otherwise standard, including the automatic choke system.