Jaguar Mk2, where do I start

[barchetta_boy]

Hi all,

Long time owner of a 1979 classic Porsche 928s here. Having managed finally to slim the 928 collection down to just one, I have an itch developing for a proper "Old English" experience from a time when (I am told) this country could actually not only make cars (rather than assemble others' for them) but decent ones at that.

Re-reading Alan Clark's Back Fire has got me all inspired along the lines of Jags. Budget doesn't stretch to an XK120 sadly. But then yesterday a strange thing happened. The other half, reading the latest Octane over my shoulder: "ooh, that's lovely what's that?" A Mk2 Jag. "That would be a nice car to arrive at the church in wouldn't it?" (Wedding next June). Yes it certainly would. "Why don't you buy one? It says there you can get them for £5-6k".

As I hope you all agree, when the OH asks you to buy another classic, you don't pass up the opportunity!

Now all I know about Jags of this era is what I've read in the aforementioned books and mags - ie not a lot. I know the 3.8 is the one to have, then the 3.4 and that the 2.4 doesn't offer anything like the same performance but presumably 100% of the ambience / feel.

So where do I start? I've just missed an open day at JD Classics (not that I could afford any of their stuff) but are there any other garages in the London area I could go and visit? Any essential books? Good internet resources? Good places to find cars other than ebay, PH, AT classicarsforsale.co.uk etc?

Cheers,

Joel

[aeropilot]

barchetta_boy said:

"Why don't you buy one? It says there you can get them for £5-6k".

£5-6k......

I wouldn't buy a £5-6k Mk2, well certainley not a 3.4 or 3.8 at that price as it will be a heap if even a MOT'd runner.

Even nice reasonably good 2.4's and Daimler V8's will be getting on for close to, or around £10k.

I still have a MK2 itch that needs scratching, just need a bigger garage to be able to keep one in.

[plasticpig]

Well if your budget is 5-6K I would forget the MK2 Jag. Instead look at the Daimler 250 V8. It's the same body shell as the MKII. Performance wise it sits just below the 3.4 MKII. The 250's handle better as the V8 is a lighter engine than the XK engine. They generally go for less money than the MK2 and so offer far better value.

[Stitch]

A few MkII's coming up for auction at H&H in Buxton next week.

[tr7v8]

As everyone says no way would I go for a £5-6K Mk2. Having driven the Mk2 I'd probably go for an S Type, better suspension & handling without the high price.
Good articles in C &SC this month on Mk2s.

[barchetta_boy]

Thanks for the tip on C&SC - will pick that up today. Guys, let's not get hung up on the 5-6k thing, I'm hardly going to tell her "darling it will be a shed at that price" am I?

Call it £10k. Daimler 250 V8 sounds interesting, I do have a thing for V8s, being a 928 fan.

Joel

[lowdrag]

I've got the magazine but haven't yet read the article but as a tip look for a 3.4 instead of a 3.8. Every man and his dog wants the 3.8 for some reason but the 3.4 is a sweeter, better balanced engine and the prices are considerably cheaper. However, around £10,000 you are still in danger of finding a car with problems. However, I suggest you look at this one - and quickly. If it is one of the very rare manuals and not converted to manual even more so. It looks as though it has been the subject of a substantial restoration and that is always the way to go and buy after someone else has spent a shed load of money.

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

There are loads more here:-

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/view-classic-c...

If you are more set on the Jaguar badge, look out for a 340 which is the run out Mk 2 with slimmer bumpers and Ambla (read plastic) interior trim. Looks about the same but is to be found considerably cheaper and all were 3.4 litre hence the name. (Yeah, yeah, I know a few escaped with a 3.8 lump but they never come up).

[RW774]

Joel, I shudder when you talk of the 928,I think about the one I had to build. The dash issues,the engine, The time, the grief ,oh dear.
Anyhow, if you want me to go look a ta Mk2 for you, I am at the end of the telephone.I know them inside out. I think you will find the V8 s dissapointment. As Tony says go for a 3.4.I`ve worked and built enough of them to know what is a good car.I found a brillant Mk1 on the internet last week for a client. Earliest 3.4 that I have ever seen a may 1957 drum brake, the 234th car off the line at £14500. So bargain saloons are out there, but nmany are over priced .
Give us a ring man..

[davepen]

I'm sure to start one turned the key and pushed the button...

Parents had a few 340's in the late 70's. The 340 was the 3.4 MkII with cheaper bumpers.
Rear spring hangers used to go, so they'd get another one for a few hundered quid. Dad was always worried about the timing chain rattle. Did a few driving lesson from the end of the M50 to the M4 with all the rest of the family in the back, fast but not much fun.

So to me MkII Jags equal wood, slidy leather(ette), lots of switches and rust. I sure one time the exhaust fell off, lots of noise. There was a view that the 2.4 was under engined, so much so that the 3.4 was less fuel inefficient Eventually the second one was replaced by a 3.5 p6 Rover - now that really did drink 5 star!

Sometimes go upstairs at Racing Green, but they appear to be MkII bodied XJ6s (by Beecham).

Anyway reading about Alan Clark shouldn't you want a Military Ghost, or a Derby Bentley instead.

[RichB]

tr7v8 said:

Good articles in C&SC this month on Mk2s.

The Mk2 is also featured in Octane this month, mind you there's a great feature on the MkIII in ClassicCars this month too

[lowdrag]

RichB said:

tr7v8 said:

Good articles in C&SC this month on Mk2s.

The Mk2 is also featured in Octane this month, mind you there's a great feature on the MkIII in ClassicCars this month too

Actually Rich, there was a Mk III but perhaps you didn't know it. I have a photo taken at Beaulieu of a pile of bumpers, all in their brown original Browns Lane paper all marked just that - Mark III. This was the factory speak for the S type in the day.

[RichB]

lowdrag said:

RichB said:

tr7v8 said:

Good articles in C&SC this month on Mk2s.

The Mk2 is also featured in Octane this month,

mind you there's a great feature on the MkIII in ClassicCars this month too

Actually Rich, there was a Mk III but perhaps you didn't know it. I have a photo taken at Beaulieu of a pile of bumpers, all in their brown original Browns Lane paper all marked just that - Mark III. This was the factory speak for the S type in the day.

Doh, there goes another joke - flat on it's face. I was, of course, referring to this MkIII

Edited by RichB on Tuesday 1st December 20:27

[barchetta_boy]

RW774 said:

Joel, I shudder when you talk of the 928,I think about the one I had to build. The dash issues,the engine, The time, the grief ,oh dear.
Anyhow, if you want me to go look a ta Mk2 for you, I am at the end of the telephone.I know them inside out. I think you will find the V8 s dissapointment. As Tony says go for a 3.4.I`ve worked and built enough of them to know what is a good car.I found a brillant Mk1 on the internet last week for a client. Earliest 3.4 that I have ever seen a may 1957 drum brake, the 234th car off the line at £14500. So bargain saloons are out there, but nmany are over priced .
Give us a ring man..

Hi there,

Re the 928, they were Porsche's all-new flagship and frighteningly costly cars when new. In my experience the electrics are indeed a total nightmare - not so much from poor quality design or construction, more outright complexity and sheer scale. What other car in 1978 offered electric seats, windows, mirrors, infinitely variable wipe delay, 3 stage heated rear window, cruise, full climate control etc etc etc? Levels of comfort and refinement you would only get in a Rolls or - indeed - a Jag... but with serious performance too. Engines should be good for 250,000 without a rebuild though.

I would love to get in touch - will drop you a PM.

Cheers,

Joel

PS: I've sunk so much into this 928 it will be difficult to let it go, and having "consulted the books" the 928 will have to leave before the Jag arrives... here's a piccy anyway

[barchetta_boy]

lowdrag said:

I've got the magazine but haven't yet read the article but as a tip look for a 3.4 instead of a 3.8. Every man and his dog wants the 3.8 for some reason but the 3.4 is a sweeter, better balanced engine and the prices are considerably cheaper. <snip>

Thanks for this, great insights. Not quite ready to splash the cash just yet. Not mad on the sand gold metallic. Colour is important for me (on classics anyway).

Cheers,

Joel

[Penguinracer]

Joel, also consider the Jag Mk VII, VIII & IX family. Yes, like all '60's Jags they're expensive to restore, especially the interiors & bodywork but they're mechanically simple & make a great steed for Road Rallies, Regularity Trials & other semi-competitive classic car events.Rowan Atkinson's Mk VII is a rare & valuable aluminium-bodied beast with considerable mechical mods - but the the fact that it puts in a respectable showing at the Goodwood Revival proves just how versatile & quick these magnificent behemouths can be!

[Roman]

As others have said a 340, S type or Daimler v8 will be in better condition for the same budget. I seem to remember some drag racers getting an amazing amount of power by supercharging the Daimler V8....

[cardigankid]

I remember these cars well in their heyday. They were well built, but of course very prone to rust and if you kept them more than two years it was very much at your own risk.

There is not a colossal difference in the performance of the 3.4 and 3.8 - both are great engines. The 2.4 was the poor man's 'entry level' model as they would say today. Similarly they did a 2.8 litre XJ6, but as a dealer once said to me 'they wouldn't pull your foreskin back'. Don't go there. At the same time there were relatively few people who went for the full monty 3.8 with wire wheels. Far fewer dare I say than seem to appear these days - these were high performance saloons for successful young business men, not boy racers, and I still think that a really nice set of Jag hub caps beats the wires. The expression 'Poor Man's Bentley' was current in the 60's.

I wouldn't go Daimler, that was always for Kind Hearts and Coronets types and still are. 340, great, but if I were you I would look for a really nice S-Type - a better car all round, and imho better looking too.

[RW774]

Totally agreed, the S is a far more practical car, as is the 420. Better value for money aswell

[AJAX50]

The trouble is, once you get the idea of a Mk2 in your head, nothing else will do.

[barchetta_boy]

AJAX50 said:

The trouble is, once you get the idea of a Mk2 in your head, nothing else will do.

Having spent the day familiarising myself with the different models on the web, you are sadly correct! Lots of decent looking S types around the £10k mark. But somehow they don't scratch the itch...

Joel