Description
Let's cut straight to the chase with the good points, the slightly less than optimal areas, as well as the parts which will require attention.
Firstly, the engine. She's an absolute beauty. Hand built, polished and ported by Jestyn Thomas, a legend in the Jaguar community, who operates out of Thruxton Classic Restorations. It's just completed its meticulously adhered to, 2k mile running-in phase, having had an oil change after its first 500. The installation was carried out by Kyle Mundy of Skyrocket Automotive, a gentleman of rising notoriety and reputation in the classic car world. Both the swap and engine build itself have all been heavily documented, with countless pictures available, as well as a video showing the impressive oil pressure figures. It's an engine which doesn't cough, splutter, smoke or leak, pulling like a train as it snicks up and down through the gears, including its overdrive, which engages and disengages with effortless precision. The box itself having benefited from an oil change within the last few hundred miles.
She comes up to temperature and stays there, with the Coombs style, twin exit, stainless steel exhausts creating a chorus which does full justice to the power plant up front; itself drawing air in via a perfectly set up pair of meshed & trumpeted SU carburettors.
The four matching tyres, themselves encasing a set of Ronnie & Reggie style black wires, will come to a firm halt thanks to Coopercraft brakes on all four corners. The fluid for these have just been flushed, changed and bled, meaning whereas a lot of elderly Jag brake pedals feel like you're stepping on a mattress you've just fished from a skip, here it's more like whispering on a brick and she stands on her nose.
The points have been converted to electric and there's a brand new coil, meaning her cardiac rhythm has the regularity of an olympic athlete.
So that's the good stuff. Now moving to the few bits which are sitting in the pending tray.
The rev counter is dead. It's a simple component swap with a part which is readily available. It's just something I've never got around to doing.
The voltage regulator can prove a little sticky, meaning while she doesn't discharge, the charge phase isn't always as clockwork as it could be. Again, an easy fix and one that doesn't impair the day-to-day running of the vehicle.
The choke. Any member of any Jag forum will testify that the choke mechanism (or auxiliary carb) set-up on cars of this era can often prove not only finicky and imprecise, but also, thanks to an often clumsy supply of fuel, a major source of fire. So in short, I've had it removed. I've kept it of course, should you wish to reinstall it.
However, in my opinion the engine is far happier in its absence. Yes, she requires an additional crank or two when properly cold. But equally in my opinion, to get some oil pressure up before she fires can only be a good thing. And the benefits of fire reduction are too obvious to outline. And after the first start of the day or after a few days of rest in the garage, she'll start first time, every time.
Now for the aesthetics. The paint is good but far from perfect. The interior is good but far from perfect. So if you're coming for a viewing, please don't expect a show queen and then grumble when you see a car which has led a life.
The interior certainly carries that 'lived in' look, but the leather is fed, red and supple, with plenty of give and comfort. The door cards have definitely seen better days and swapping them for new ones, along with a fresh carpet, would truly transform the cabin. The dash is steeped in a beautiful level of patina. Ideal if you're looking for something aged, perfect if you're looking for a project which isn't too far gone.
Structurally she's sound, with all the sills rock solid. Yes, the odd part of the floor is a little crispy. But a rot box she is not. Last week I also had a brand new windscreen professionally installed using ultra-modern, toughened glass.
Overall she's an honest example of the most beautiful saloon car the world has ever seen, with all the poise and pounce synonymous with any other of nature's other big cats. Capable of keeping up with modern traffic (and then some) but with none of the smokey, oily, temperamental character traits of other 60s cars, not least of all Jags.
It feels almost wrong to be selling her at this moment, when she's running so perfectly. But as ever, other projects are commanding my attention. Any questions, just ask. And while I'm open to non silly offers, please, no tyre kickers or test pilots. Jag hunters out there might well have seen this Mk2 for sale a few months ago and now it's mysteriously reappearing. Well the truth is, there is no mystery. I removed the sale because of the unbreakable emotional attachment I have with this beautiful vehicle. But once again, the head-heart battle has tipped back in favour of common sense over an irrational love affair. And with other projects requiring my time and attention, it's time to move this grand old lady on.
So whether you wish to perform a nut and bolt restoration, thrash the nuts off it around Goodwood, have it pay its way on the wedding car circuit or simply do as I have done, and just drive and enjoy it, this is the perfect Mk2 to bring out whatever you see in her.
