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Background
Jaguar
introduced a compact sporting saloon, the 2.4 Litre, in October 1955 at the
Earls Court British Motor Show. Designed
for the export market, the car was an instant hit in
Britain
, and when fitted with the XK150 engine, was
successful also in the
U.S.
A
total of 17,280 3.4 litre Mark 1 sedans were produced in the three year
production run (1957-59).
Jaguar
redesigned the Mark 1 into the Mark 2, considered the best looking of any of
Jaguar’s post WWII compact saloons. Perhaps
the most famous of the Mark 2s was the one driven by Inspector Morse in the TV
drama of that name.
While the
Mark 2 provided a fresher look (primarily due to larger windows), and a wider
rear track to improve handling, Mark 1s have a unique charm.
For me, the funky style, especially with wide whitewalls, and the
traditional Jaguar walnut fascia with its center-oriented instrument binnacle,
represents a classic take on British motoring.
1959
Jaguar Mark 1 –s/n S991752BW
Finished in
Carmine red, with a tan interior, and automatic transmission, the car is
“numbers correct,” and eligible for a Jaguar Heritage Certificate.
I purchased the car in 2006 from a southern
California
gentleman who had owned it since 1984, and who
is principally responsible for its condition.
Mileage at
the time of previous owner’s purchase was 85,528.
When the instruments were restored, the odometer was set back to zero.
Since its completion in 1986 the car has covered only 4700 miles, 2600
by previous owner over 20 years, and 2100 miles in the two years I have owned
it.
In 1984 the
car was taken apart, and all mechanical components professionally rebuilt.
Chrome was refinished, and the interior was professionally installed.
The only “amateur” part of the restoration was the exterior paint
and body, completed as a class project at
Foothill
Community College
near
Los Angeles
. I
have all bills for the restoration, and while I haven’t put an adding
machine to them, they total well in excess of $10,000 – and that’s without
any body work. Remember these are
mid-80s dollars, when gas was 75 cents a gallon.
Until
my purchase, the car resided in
Southern California
since new, and given that POR-15 was liberally
applied to all surfaces before painting, the car is free of any evident rust.
And, all instruments, save the clock, work perfectly.
During
restoration the engine was bored 0.60 over, and custom pistons were installed.
Effectively (if my calculations are correct) that’s a 4.2 litre
motor. Rated horsepower for the
3.4 was 210, and for the 3.8, 220, so I would guess this car has at least the
220 hp associated with the 3.8 engine.
The interior is not accurate
– Carmine red cars were only available with red leather.
While the interior was completed by a famous
California
“hot rod” shop, it is typically 1980s.
Vinyl seats and short shag carpeting don’t quite transmit the essence
of British motoring. For what it
cost, a correct Jaguar interior could have easily been installed!
Also the dash fascia is from a right hand drive car (glove box on wrong
side). Incorrect (but Jaguar)
bucket seats are fitted. All
automatic transmission cars came with a front bench seat.
I have been refurbishing
during my ownership – just fixing the items that typically need work
when a car hasn’t been driven regularly.
First to go were the bias-ply tires. Diamondback
wide white radials, 205/75x15, greatly improved ride and handling, as did
re-bushing the front end. An
alloy radiator for the
Oklahoma
climate was a necessity – the motor runs cool
as could be in 100 degree temperature, while new floor insulation created an
acceptable interior temperature. (I
don’t think anyone at Jaguar in the 1950s ever envisioned driving a motor
car in plus 100 degree heat!) A
completely rebuilt/new brake system has been installed.
Crowning glory
– check out the radio – a genuine Lucas Radiomobile AM/Shortwave!
This followed me around since 1971, when a frustrated XK-140 owner told me to
"junk it." Now working correctly, it's a great touch!