Description
1961 Jagiar MK II 4. 2 Litre 5 Speed. British Racing Green with Saddle Tan leather upholstery. Jaguar unveiled their definitive Mk2 sports saloon in October 1959, featuring sleek lines that encapsulated the evolution of the Coventry marque's first monocoque design, seamlessly blending elegance and muscularity. The heart of the Mk2 was the XK DOHC straight-six engine, a refined iteration of the same engine that propelled Jaguar to five Le Mans victories. With its exceptional performance, the Mk2 swiftly rose to dominance in the realm of contemporary saloon car racing.
Underneath its classic exterior, the Mk2 boasted advanced engineering for its time. It sported coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle, and servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes. The range-topping 3. 8 model was particularly remarkable, delivering nearly seven times the horsepower of a humble Mini 850 with a top speed of 126mph. Inside, the Mk2 pampered its occupants with a truly iconic automotive interior. Elegant instrumentation, rich wood veneers and sumptuous leather upholstery combined to cocoon passengers in luxury and style.
On offer from the Anthony Hamilton Collection, this stunning Mk 2 Jaguar started life as a 3. 4-litre example and, according to its original Manufacturer’s Warranty (still with the car), was delivered through A. J. Beal of Exeter to its first proud owner, a Dr. D. M. Green of Sidmouth on 26th July 1961. It later became the property of the late Jeff Uren, retired BSCC racing driver famed for his engineering and tuning skills and best known for his creation of the Cortina Savage and the Capri Stampede.
He bought this car in Chignell, Bedfordshire in January 2000 after the, then-owner, had invested thousands of pounds and two years having the car restored by Flying Cat Engineering of Royston. There is photographic record illustrating the extent of the restoration which involved repairing or replacing sections of bodywork including the front cross member, crow’s feet, stays, front valance, sills, floor sections, rear wheel arches, doors, rear valance, boot lid, spring hangers, inner wheel arches and splash panels. When this work was completed in 1998, the car was fully prepared and refinished in gleaming British Racing Green, its original colour.
In early 2000, after owning the car for just a handful of months, it became clear that the original 3. 4-litre engine was no longer happy and, on the recommendation of knowledgeable Jaguar specialist, Peter Cooper of CooperCraft, the decision was made to replace it with a healthy 4. 2-litre XK engine from a Jaguar 420G mated to a 5-speed Getrag gearbox. Further upgrades carried out by CooperCraft included a new brake servo and reservoir valve, modifications to the front subframe, new bushes, new front chassis legs, coil springs, and shock absorbers. The transformation was remarkable, endowing the early-sixties saloon with the speed, handling and brakes to feel totally comfortable in modern traffic.
Sadly, poor health meant that Jeff was no longer able to enjoy the Jaguar and, in February 2006, he sold it to a friend and neighbour who, happily, used the family-friendly classic for 10 years attending weddings and many classic car events enjoying the Mk2’s remarkable turn of speed, predictable handling and confidence-inspiring brakes.
The car’s most recent keeper is Anthony Hamilton, father of Formula One World Champion, Lewis, who added it to his eclectic collection of, predominantly British, classics. Although not ‘matching numbers’, Anthony felt that with its looks, condition and intelligent upgrades, as well as input from Jeff Uren and Peter Cooper, it deserved to be amongst some of the country’s finest.
The Jaguar continues to present really well in gleaming BRG with its Coombs-style louvred bonnet, centrally-mounted radio aerial and smart chrome wire wheels. Internally, the Saddle Tan leather seating is gently patinated, the door cards and wood veneers are excellent and the mushroom carpets are in good order. It still displays its original registration number, 841 JTT, and is supplied with two sets of keys, some older MOTs, and a number of invoices for restorative and maintenance works over the years.
Although now tax and MOT exempt, a fresh MOT will be applied at the time of a sale for the new owner’s peace of mind. Absolutely any inspection welcomed. All major Debit and Credit Cards accepted. Part exchange considered. Free UK mainland delivery. Please contact us for any further information and there are lots more pictures and a video on our website and media pages. Usual dealer facilities including secure storage and transport solutions for import/ export.
