1962 Jaguar Mark II 3.8 'Manual with Overdrive' Saloon

Description

Unveiled in October 1959, Jaguar’s Mark 2 addressed all the shortcomings of the earlier model, particularly criticism of the high-speed handling, overcome by widening the rear track. With slimmer pillars and greater glass area, the Mark 2 also boasted a much lighter cabin featuring a redesigned instrument panel, still with a traditional rich timber veneer, but a much-improved layout. Mechanical changes included Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment and the Mark 2 was sold with three different engine capacities right from the outset: the 2.4, 3.4 and new 3.8 variant of the classic straight six. The Jaguar performed on the road as well, especially with the 3.8 litre version of the legendary XK straight six. In manual form, a 3.8-litre Mark 2 was - for a time - the fastest four-door saloon on the road. Popular with the law and those on the wrong side of it alike, the Jaguar Mark 2 also enjoyed a long and successful competition career, particularly in touring car races in England and Australia, and examples can still be found competing in historic events around the world today. The Mark 2 was also a star in films like Get Carter with Michael Caine, not to mention the long running Inspector Morse Television series. With almost 90,000 built in 10 years of production, the Mark 2 was a genuine sales success and is still regarded by many Jaguar enthusiasts as perhaps the finest saloon ever to wear the leaping cat. No Jaguar better epitomises the “Grace, Pace and Space” catchcry used in period advertising and the Mark 2 remains an eminently usable classic saloon today, with excellent support provided by the many clubs and specialists around Australia.