2026-10-21 12:34:51 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 10/26

www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5886/lot/926954

1963 Jaguar Mk II 3.8

Estimate £10,000 - £12,000

Brightwells - Online, UK, 24 - 28 October, 2026

Lot 87

Chassis Number 230320DN

Gearbox Manual

VAT Status No VAT

Documents V5C; 16 old MOTs; invoices; correspondence; Haynes manual; parts catalogues; JEC Club literature

Tax and MOT status Tax and MOT exempt

In the current ownership for 26 years; Coombs spats; louvred bonnet; full-length sunroof; use and improve condition with oodles of charm; a proper getaway car at a modest guide price

This particular 3.8 manual overdrive was first registered in Buckinghamshire in April 1963, just four months before the Great Train Robbery took place at nearby Bridego Railway Bridge – not that we’re suggesting anything, of course…

With sporty Coombs wheel spats, louvred bonnet, Moto-Lita steering wheel and wide chrome wheels, it does look every inch the getaway car, but as it comes with no early history we’ll just leave it at that.

Our vendor bought it back in April 2000 from a fellow JEC Club member down in Ipswich, Mr S Kippax, a letter from him relating that it was a very reluctant sale due to the arrival of a baby with another on the way: ‘She’s a beautiful car and we shall be very sorry to see her go’.

Our vendor went right through the car when he bought it, fitting various new parts (brake discs and calipers; suspension bushes; ball joints etc) and it was in regular use thereafter, clocking up 10,000 miles over the next dozen years, including various JEC events and tours round France and Switzerland.

There are a fair few invoices for routine upkeep and the odd new part, although it never seems to have needed much, the stand-out item being the full-length Webasto sunroof which was professionally fitted in 2007. There are also 16 old MOTs which show the mileage rising from 35,556 in July 1994 to 60,143 in June 2015 shortly after which the Jag was laid up and put into nice dry storage alongside a few other classics owned by the vendor.

Recently brought out of storage and fitted with a new battery, it was soon got running again to prepare it for this auction. It has been starting easily and running well as we have driven it around on site, with healthy oil pressure and a proper getaway car turn of speed. Given the recent lack of use, a thorough check-over and a service would be advised before any long journeys are undertaken.

There are sundry useful spares in the boot, along with a spare wheel and wheel-changing kit, two original Jaguar tool kits and a Haynes workshop manual. It retains its original Bucks-issue number plate, 8085 BH, which is transferable according to the V5C and doubtless has a value of its own.

As you can see in the photos, this much-loved MkII has bags of character and is in decent shape for a 63-year-old with just the odd bubble under the paintwork emerging here and there. Only reluctantly for sale due to the advancing years of the owner, it is on offer here at a modest guide price and could be smartened up over time as desired.

Although if you’ve got any trips to the bank planned, perhaps best to leave it as it is. No point getting it too shiny in case you pick up any scrapes on your way out…