Description
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Sandown Park | Esher, Surrey
Viewing: Wed 9th December from 12pm
Auction Thursday, December 10th: From 12:00pm (Noon)
Location: Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ UK
Registration No: OCP 329
Chassis No: 204301DN
MOT: Exempt
Home-market example finished in its factory colour scheme of Cotswold Blue with Dark Blue upholstery
Desirable 3. 8-litre, manual, overdrive example
Notably original example with just 46, 000 miles on the odometer
Supplied with a large history file including the JDHT Heritage Certificate and ownership history
For many the definitive Jaguar sports Saloon, the Mk. II was introduced in October, 1959. A peerless blend of elegance and muscularity, its sleek lines clothed an evolution of the Coventry marque’s first monocoque design. Powered by derivatives of the same XK DOHC straight-six engine that had swept Jaguar to five Le Mans victories, the Mk. II was quick to dominate contemporary Saloon car racing. Equipped with coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle and servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, the range-topping 3. 8 boasted nearly seven times the horsepower of a Mini 850 and a 126mph top speed! Blessed with one of the all-time great automotive interiors, its stylish instrumentation, rich wood veneers and sumptuous leather upholstery all conspired to cosset and cocoon occupants.
Boasting much history and a notable degree of originality, this Mk. II in desirable home-market, 3. 8-litre, manual and overdrive specification is a really delightful example. Finished in its original colour scheme of Cotswold Blue with a Dark Blue (original) interior, it was manufactured on April 24th, 1961, and despatched on May 2nd, passing through the distributor Appleyards of Leeds to the Hoffmanns dealership in Halifax. It was duly sold to its first owner, Denhams Dry Cleaners in Cleckheaton.
Another early owner was Alan Ensoll, who ran a small chain of garages, Alan Ensoll (Sales) Ltd., in the North Riding of Yorkshire. He later recollected: “I first bought the car, I think, in 1963. It was then a low-mileage, unmarked and gently driven example, which I sold to my accountant. Shortly after purchase, he damaged the nearside front wing, which we renewed. He then purchased an E-Type from me and I resold the Mk. II to George Coverdale, a director at Dorman Long, who was retiring and wanted a car for special occasions. He kept the Jag until 1985 when he asked me to buy it back, which I did with alacrity as its total mileage was only 33, 000!”
Ensoll retained the Jaguar until 2005, when he sold it with a mileage of 40, 888. Subsequently, it had just two owners between 2008 and 2025, and is offered with a remarkable low mileage of just 46, 000 miles. With an excellent record of maintenance, it appears fundamentally an unrestored car in an outstanding state of preservation. While the head and carburettors were changed in the past, the previous owner, who purchased the car for £38, 000 from Spur Classic Cars in 2014, refitted the original items. The car was lightly overhauled in 2014 with new front and rear brake discs and pads, a new clutch, master cylinder and slave cylinder, and the rewiring of the engine bay. The fuel tank was replaced in 2015, a new starter motor was fitted in 2022, and the carburettors were renovated in 2024.
It is supplied with paperwork including the V5C, a JDHT certificate, original sales brochures and owner’s literature, the original service book with five stamps from the 1960s, many MOTs dating back to 1984, detailed maintenance notes, some recent invoices, and written history from previous owners. A pleasingly original and unmolested example, with low mileage too!
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
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