1961 Jaguar MK2 -- 45,000 miles. Rebuilt, Elite, Wonderfully Complete

Extraordinary Restoration Opportunity

55 years ago, hen this Jaguar MK2 was sold from a US showroom floor, t was an automobile in a category by itself -- a high-powered, ompactly-built luxury sports saloon that could outrun and out-handle most other traffic. What the buyer of this English thoroughbred also got out of the deal was a car that was beautifully and elegantly styled. It looked like nothing else on the American road. Nor did it sound like anything else on the road with it's 3.8 double overhead cam straight-six snarling in muted but potent British tones as the little sedan clipped toward the horizon at 120 mph.

Fifty-five years later, ur MK2 has seen the wear of time but retained all of

its sporting personality as well as its parts. The completeness of this vehicle defies normal expectations. Every piece of chrome -- from the original oversized Jaguar mascot on the bonnet tothe tail lamps -- is still with the car and remains in impressive condition. Among the brightwork, e've only found a single dent-- at the rear bumper. All the glass is there and appears unmarked. Some 30 pieces of burl wood constitute the interior and are still on hand. The leather seats are complete (in need of renewal), long with the door panels and all other interior fixtures and trim. Aside from the original radio, hich is missing, ll switches, auges, nd exterior and interior lighting is complete and operating.

The legendary Jaguar six was removed and dismantled. With only 45,000 miles clocked, he lower end and upper end -- pistons to valves -- needed nothing but the tappets adjusted. The leaking rear main was resealed, ew gaskets installed throughout, he cam covers and other engine chrome were polished. The original porcelain on the exhaust manifold is intact. The air cleaner installation awaits a new rubber boot (on order). The BW automatic three-speed with overdrive was taken apart and rebuilt. The radiator was reconditioned, ew hoses and belts installed, long with a new heater core. Tuned and refreshed, he engine purrs, ut when prodded growls powerfully. And the original exhaust system sounds like it should.

The body and chassis are remarkably unscathed by rust. The minimal rust that found its way to this car settled into the door bases, ith one small point of corrosion penetrating the rear left quarter and a few bubbles at the lip of one rear wheel housing (See photos). The doors were removed, he rust cut out, ew metal formed and welded in perfectly, repped for paint. There was NO bondo applied in our preparation of the body. A search of the body surfaces located only one small depression on the left rear door (not yet attended to). The rest of the sheet metal is straight. The hood was prepped and primed for paint, ts three chrome strips and the big leaper ready to be put back in place.

Inspection of the chassis when up on lift uncovered zero rust underneath. The factory undercoating is still there. All the critical mounting points, ear suspension, ront suspension, nd frontframe members are rock solid and free of corrosion. Ditto the trunk floor and the cabin floors. Ditto the rocker panels (or sills) and the front and rear fenders, ave for the two previously mentioned points.it looks like a tow hook was misapplied tothe left side rear lip of the front frame, ut it can be straightened without much difficulty. The suspension bushings are probably original and the ride would no doubt improve if they were replaced.

What the restorer of this Jag will be taking on is paint and interior, not inconsiderable task. But we're seeing far less project MK2's on the market, n indicator of escalating values. The cars that need work are not being let go, hey're being refurbished. Nicely restored MK2's, utomatic or four-speed, re currently trading in the $35k to $55k area. Appreciation for this model has been on a steady upswing.

As a candidate for the final exterior and interior steps to a show-winningcar, his MK2's lack of rust, ts structural integrity, ts completeness, ts mechanical readiness, nd its availability -- would be difficult to duplicate. Many additional photos are available on request, nd the frabricator and mechanic who worked on the car is available to answer further questions.

Offered at $15,000. Shipping nationally or internationally gladly arranged.