2022-01-18 10:43:58 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1964-jaguar-mkii-4B9lXn

Auction description:

1964 Jaguar MkII

Colour Black

Odometer 79,229 Miles

Engine size 3800

Location Middlesex

Country United Kingdom

• Mostly original example of a British classic

• 55 years with original owner

• 3.8-litre Jaguar XK engine

• Unmolested interior

SEP 871 was first registered in June 1964. The first owner then kept the car, according to the vendor, for an amazing 55 years, until health issues meant that he was no longer able to live at home and his wife took the difficult decision to sell the car to its second owner in 2019.

Having acquired the car intending to address the work needed to bring the car up to scratch, the second owner eventually accepted that he wasn’t able to do this and sold the car to the vendor.

The Paperwork

The car comes with a folder of paperwork including a Jaguar Heritage certificate that verifies its factory records. 

The vendor has been in touch with the wife of the original owner, and she says that somewhere in the house is a huge file of paperwork from her husband’s tenure of the car, but she has not as yet been able to find this. The vendor assures us that should this eventually appear he will forward it to the new owner. 

The V5 is not in the vendor’s name as he has only recently acquired the car. As an historic vehicle the car is MoT and tax-exempt, but there are a number of previous MoT certificates in the file. 

The Exterior

The car still wears its original black paint, an unusual factory colour. Inevitably this is starting to show its age – there is evidence of rust at the front of both driver and passenger doors, and a few cracks in the paint. Similarly, much of the brightwork, including the door handles, has a considerable patina. 

The rubber strip across the top of the rear bumper has perished and will need to be replaced. 

All four wheels show signs of age but are essentially sound. The tyres (Pirelli P6s) have plenty of tread but look to be some years old. The headlights and rear lights are unmarked. 

The Interior

For a car of this age, the interior is in remarkably good condition. The leather seats are very original, although there are some signs of cracking on the driver’s seat bolster and base. On the back of the front seats, the little foldaway tables are in excellent condition, with no visible cracks in the wood. The rear bench seat and armrest are in very good condition. 

The carpets and underfelt were replaced by the second owner in 2019, according to a receipt in the history file.

Some of the wooden trim is loose, but the vendor assures us he will address this before sale. The wooden trim has all been replaced at some point but the original wood is supplied with the car. There is a gap in the centre console where the radio should be. 

All four door panels are in very good condition, as are interior handles and window winders. 

In the boot there is little evidence of rust, but there is no boot lining and there is a rather tired-looking spare wheel in its compartment. The cover that hides the fuel pump is missing.

The Mechanics

The car starts readily and drives well, although there is some smoke from the exhaust under acceleration. The engine has a healthy note and gearchanges are smooth. 

Under the bonnet, the car shows signs of age but everything looks as it should. A modern battery has been fitted. The exhaust manifold has some signs of rust, but otherwise everything looks as though it would clean up nicely. 

The underneath of the car looks to be in pretty good shape, with no obvious leaks or corrosion. 

The odometer shows a recorded mileage of 79,229, but a careful browse of the history file reveals that this mileage was recorded on the MoT certificate in 2012, 2013 and 2014. From what we know of the car’s history, it’s unlikely that it has covered many miles since this date. 

The switchgear all appears to work as it should.