Lot 011: 1963 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 Litre

For many the definitive Jaguar sports saloon, the MKII was introduced in October 1959. A peerless blend of elegance and muscularity, its super sleek shape 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 MKII 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. Finished in Gunmetal Grey with Beige leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "fair" (interior trim, paintwork) or "good" (engine, automatic transmission, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, wheels / tyres) condition. Reportedly showing "maker's oil pressure", '113 EWD' is further understood to retain its "original leather, headlining and chrome". Riding on wire wheels shod with Michelin X tyres, the four-door saloon boasts "a new stainless steel exhaust system". Showing some 87,000 miles to its odometer, this handsome MKII 3.8 litre is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until February 2009.