2021-10-28 14:14:05 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1963-jaguar-mark-ii-34-8K1Nkn

Auction description:

1963 Jaguar Mark II

Colour White

Odometer 98,000 Miles

Engine size 3400

Location International

Country Australia

• Upgraded to 3.8 Litres

• Extensively restored example

• Good service history

• In need of some light restoration and TLC

Supplied new by Melbourne Jaguar in 1963, this car went through only a couple of owners for 40 years, before having its first major bout of restoration in 2003, when most of the bushes, ball joints and brake and coolant hoses were renewed. 

There were a few electrical gremlins that were rectified, and the transmission was stripped down and rebuilt with new parts as required. While the mechanical work was attended to the interior wood and seats were removed and sent off for restoration and re-trimming.

Between 2006 and 2009 its restoration continued with just about every mechanical and running gear part being either replaced or rebuilt to ensure the car was reliable and drove as it should. Attention was given to the braking system with a new master cylinder and an S Type brake booster with new brake hoses and lines being replaced. 

The radiator was re-cored and refitted with all new hoses and mounting brackets, an electronic distributor and coil were fitted along with a high-torque starter motor. The suspension and all its components were rebuilt as required and new shock absorbers were fitted. The engine was removed and replaced with a 3.8 litre unit and many o-rings and gaskets were replaced throughout the car. The carburettor was removed and reconditioned before being refitted and tuned and balanced to the new engine.

The current owner bought the car in 2018 and in addition to regular servicing and general maintenance has replaced the existing seat-belts with the later inertia type and fitted the set of lightweight wire spoke wheels with wider 195 radial tyres that the car currently runs on.

PAPERWORK

The car comes with its original owners handbook, three keys, its original delivery documents and a wealth of receipts for works and services done throughout its life. A Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate confirming the car’s provenance is also included.

In addition, the original steel wheels, hubs, hub caps and colour coded Coombs racing spats will be supplied with the car.

INTERIOR

The classic and luxurious red leather interior is in very good condition throughout, having been restored during an earlier renovation.

The leather seats, carpets, and door cards are all in great shape, as is most of the wood trim, with the exception of the wood near the glove box and around the driver’s main dials where the lacquer is beginning to peel.

There is some slight sagging in one area of the headlining and some age related wear evident on the centre console and all of the internal chrome shows some slight pitting very much commensurate with the car’s age.

The awesome Jaguar dashboard and instrumentation looks good, with all gauges and switches working, and in the centre switchgear panel there is an extra switch that has been added which controls an electric choke that has been fitted.

The steering wheel is original and in near perfect condition.

EXTERIOR

The cream paintwork really shows off the classic design lines and curves of the Mark 2 with all of the chrome trim, front grill and bumpers showing very little signs of age with only very minor pitting being evident.

Overall the bodywork and paintwork are in good condition, obviously benefitting from its time not being exposed to snow and salty roads, but there are a few rust bubbles beginning to come through on the doors and the boot, and there is a deep scratch at the rear which happened when the rear screen was replaced and there is a noticeable stone chip on the front of the car along with some peeling and cracking paint here and there.

The front windscreen and rear window, along with their rubber seals, have recently been replaced and all the lights look clear and free from any chips or cracks, though the twin tailpipes look heavily rusted.

The car is fitted currently with lightweight German alloy spokes on fairly new Hankook 195 wide tyres, which really suit and enhance the car’s looks.

Underneath the car looks solid, showing no obvious signs of rust, again a major benefit of having lived its life in the dry Australian climate.

MECHANICS

The car was last fully serviced in September 2021 and there are no known or reported mechanical issues to report. The car has good oil pressure and starts on the button every time.

A slipping first gear that was reported in the car’s last inspection has been cured with a gearbox service and oil change coupled with the regular use that this car currently enjoys.

As the receipts for the works and parts that have been lavished on this car over the last years show there is hardly any part of the car’s running gear that has remained untouched or renewed, resulting in a very usable and reliable Jaguar Mark 2.