1962 Jaguar MK II 3.8

FOR SALE

1962 Jaguar MK II 3.8

£18,950

£17k Spent in 2017 | Long Term Owners | Magazine Featured | Power Steering

Mileage~93,086 on the clock
Transmission4-Speed Manual with O/D
Engine3.8-litre
LocationAlcester, Warwickshire

£18,950

1962 Jaguar MK II 3.8

Premium Classified Sale

I'M INTERESTED

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

The definitive 1960s British sports saloon with classic motorsport heritage.

Introduced in late 1959, the Jaguar Mk II redefined the high-performance saloon by pairing executive luxury with sports car agility. Evolving from earlier models with slimmer window pillars that improved all-round visibility, it reached its zenith in 3.8-litre form, capable of exceeding 120 mph. This potency translated directly into European touring car dominance at the hands of drivers such as Roy Salvadori and Graham Hill, forging a dual reputation as both the ultimate gentleman's express and the favoured getaway car of the 1960s British underworld.

At the heart of this performance was Jaguar’s twin-cam straight-six engine, fed by twin SU carburettors and mated to a four-speed manual transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Standard four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes offered pioneering, fade-free stopping power, while a widened rear track corrected the high-speed handling traits of its predecessor. Suspended via independent front coils and a live rear axle on semi-elliptic springs, the chassis worked alongside recirculating-ball steering to deliver high-speed stability, linear power, and refined poise.

This 1962 3.8-litre example, upgraded with a later all-synchromesh manual gearbox, is finished in Carmen Red with a leather red interior. Exceptionally well presented, it boasts an impressive provenance with just four previous long-term owners and benefits from a £17,000 mechanical overhaul carried out in 2017. The vehicle features several discreet upgrades, including an electric choke, central locking and a full remote alarm system.

Backed by invoices and receipts stretching back to 1995, this show-winning car has featured in several classic vehicle publications, includes two sets of keys, and is both MOT and road tax-exempt.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Steve on behalf of the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
Images
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Subject to a historic body restoration, the bodywork has always been well maintained.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15” wire wheels are cleanly presented with decent tight spokes, the rear rims and knock-off spinners show mild signs of age.

The front and rear of the car is fitted with Dunlop SP Sport tyres showing a spec of 185/VR15 - these are date coded from 2016. They’re in good shape with plenty of legal tread.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The bodywork is in exceptional condition, showing decent shut lines and panel fitment, all completely free from noticeable corrosion or damage. The doors open and close smoothly, although the boot lid requires slightly more force to shut. The door seals show minor signs of age in places, but remain fully functional.

The underside has been treated with a corrosion inhibitor, with the floor pan, chassis rails, suspension mounts and wheel wells all remaining solid.

The engine bay and boot floor are clean.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork has an appealing lustre and consistent coverage. The finish displays a good shine and, apart from the occasional stone chip, is near-flawless. The only notable surface blemish identified is on top of the nearside C-pillar/roof, which shows light orange peeling and a minor run.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition with sound seals.

The only notable marks were identified on the offside rear quarter-light.

The lights and lenses are in good order.

The fittings are in good shape, despite the occasional slight trim misalignment. We noted a few mild signs of age on the chrome, chiefly on the grille, rear light clusters and slightly on the front bumper; otherwise, the bumpers are well fitted.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The sumptuous cabin retains all of its luxurious charm and has been exceptionally well kept over the years.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have been re-trimmed in red leather and are all in excellent condition.

The carpets are clean and damp-free.

Dashboard

The dashboard is smartly presented with no significant flaws or signs of age.

The veneer is in excellent condition, while the facia, rocker switches, controls and dials are clean.

Everything is reported to operate as intended.

The interior trim is in good order; the door cards may need minor fettling, but the headlining is sound.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel matches the smart presentation of the dashboard, and the gear lever shows no issues.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The car drives faultlessly, with its mechanical overhaul ensuring it retains its smooth power.

Engine and Gearbox

During a cold start, the engine fired up promptly and settled into a fast idle. The electric choke ensured the engine ran down smoothly, with the engine note sounding even and quiet. All dashboard ignition lights remained off. Oil pressure registered a healthy 40 psi initially and rose to 50 psi as the engine warmed up.

Typical cold-engine condensation was observed at the exhaust, with no unwanted fumes noted.

The engine is smartly presented, with clear evidence of maintenance and regular servicing. The cylinder head was replaced to accommodate new valves suitable for unleaded fuel. The engine formed part of a £17,000 mechanical overhaul carried out in 2017.

The original Moss gearbox was installed by Jaguar main dealer with a late-1960s unit with full synchromesh. It operates without any reported issues, and the clutch is in good order.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride felt incredibly refined and luxurious, yet surprisingly sure-footed and eager when pushed a little harder. We did not hear any unwanted noises from the running gear.

As one of the first production cars fitted with Dunlop disc brakes on all four corners as standard, the car's stopping power remains impressive.

The braking system operates smoothly with no negative feedback or squeals, pulling the car up straight and true.

The Drive

The Jaguar XK engine family was originally developed during World War II, debuting as a 3.4-litre unit in the iconic XK120 sports car. Recognising the need to meet the demand for more power, Jaguar developed the engine further by introducing the 3.8-litre variant alongside the launch of the Mk II in late 1959. Renowned for delivering massive low-down torque and a relentless mid-range wave of power, the XK engine architecture is famously robust, boasting a 43-year production run.

Steve took us for a brief drive on behalf of Rosalind, demonstrating the Jaguar's near-perfect road manners. The rich, velvety, deep straight-six burble at idle transforms into a tone that feels incredibly relaxed, smooth and unstressed. A gentle prod of the accelerator allowed the engine revs to rise with a crisp, clean, sporty growl without popping, spitting or missing a beat.

The car glides smoothly over the road, absorbing irregularities with confidence. It leans into corners with characteristic body roll, yet remains settled and completely free from knocks or kickback through the steering wheel. The car has been fitted with a power steering rack from an XJ-S, which, alongside the electric choke, makes the driving experience vastly superior to the original setup. We brought the car up to 40 mph before Steve engaged the overdrive; it engages smoothly, dropping the engine revs dramatically for a whisper-quiet cruise.

The oil pressure read 30–40 psi while cruising at 3,000 rpm, and there are no reported issues with engine temperature. An auxiliary cooling fan has also been fitted.

Electrics and Other

Additional equipment includes an electric aerial, a full remote alarm system, and fitted rear seat belts.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

It comes with a folder of history since the mid-1990s, including a £17,000 mechanical overhaul in 2017.

First registered in March 1962, the car comes with an impressive history file, reflecting the effort of previous owners to document as much of its provenance as possible. The Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirms this UK home-market example was originally finished in green with a suede green interior, supplied new via Henlys of London.

It is believed the car was retained by its original owner until 1984, at which point it underwent its first restoration. Stored in a dry environment until 1994, it was reported to be in sound condition upon emergence. Detailed invoice and receipt records begin in the mid-1990s, including work by Jaguar main dealer Evans Halshaw covering the engine, gearbox and clutch, alongside upgrades such as power steering, central locking and a full remote alarm system. The bodywork was wax-injected and undersealed during this period and continuously maintained thereafter.

The most substantial recent invoices date from 2017, totalling over £17,000 at The Jag Shop for comprehensive engine, brake, suspension and clutch overhauls. Prior receipts from 2012 account for a further £7,000, supported by extensive servicing and maintenance records stretching back to the 1990s.

The car is both tax and MOT-exempt. Although it does not currently hold an MOT certificate, it has covered only around 200 miles since its last test in 2021. It includes two sets of keys, a compact disc containing photos of the 2017 mechanical work, and receipts for a bare-metal restoration carried out in 1995. Furthermore, this former show-winning Mk II is accompanied by several magazine features, including a cover story in Classic & Sports Car, the maintenance handbook, a Heritage Certificate, previous V5 documents tracing ownership back to the mid-1980s, and over four decades of historic MOT certificates.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Trade Classics Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of AFS Compliance Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm number 625035. Trade Classics Limited is a vehicle sales business with permission to introduce prospective finance clients to Revered Finance Limited who is also an AR of AFS Compliance Ltd and an independent asset finance brokerage not a lender. We are not independent financial advisors and are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. Trade Classics Limited and Revered Finance Limited will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary commission models. Commission payments are factored into the interest rate you pay.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
16-07-2021	MOT	92,983
24-06-2020	MOT	92,399
01-06-2019	MOT	92,079
04-06-2018	MOT	91,584
12-06-2017	MOT	90,962
05-04-2016	Independent Oil Change	90,817
05-04-2016	MOT	90,811
15-05-2015	Independent Oil Change	90,388
07-04-2015	MOT	90,316
07-04-2014	MOT	90,104
25-04-2013	Independent Service	89,734
25-04-2013	MOT	89,734
10-04-2012	MOT	89,545
07-04-2011	MOT	89,129
21-04-2010	Independent Service	88,485
21-04-2010	MOT	88,485
15-04-2009	Independent Service	88,007
14-04-2009	MOT	88,007
08-04-2008	Independent Service	87,495
08-04-2008	MOT	87,495
12-04-2007	Independent Service	86,578
11-04-2007	MOT	86,578
28-04-2006	Independent Service	85,706
25-04-2006	MOT	85,706
05-04-2005	Independent Service	84,553
04-04-2005	MOT	84,553
07-04-2003	Independent Service	83,725
14-04-2003	Independent Service	83,060
07-04-2003	MOT	83,060
12-04-2002	MOT	82,343
12-04-2002	Independent Service	82,343
24-04-2001	MOT	81,655
15-09-2000	Independent Service	81,528
25-04-2000	MOT	81,311
30-08-1999	Jaguar Service + engine rebuild	80,892
29-04-1999	MOT	80,656
19-06-1998	MOT	80,300
31-10-1997	Jaguar Service	80,273
28-07-1997	MOT	79,965
25-11-1996	Specialist Service	72,561
26-03-1996	MOT	68,994

VIEW ALL

Key Details

Finance Available?Yes - contact us
ModelMK II 3.8
Transmission4-Speed Manual with O/D
Reg. Date01-03-1962
CC3781
Mileage~93,086 on the clock
HistorySince 1995
ColourCarmen Red
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #205475DN
Engine #LB5159-8
Last Service05-04-2016
RestoredMid 90s
Engine Rebuild2017
MOTExpired: 16-07-2021
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers4
Tyre BrandDunlop SP Sport
Tyre Age2016
Security SysRemote keyfob
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~7 years
Key FeatureExcellent History and Presentation
Vehicle Registration5949 DD
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type4-door Saloon
Auction ID4037

VIEW ALL

All Images

All Videos

Insurance Quote

Average annual insurance premium for a MKII like this is £TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

*Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2026.

Vehicle Location

Alcester

Thank You

Offer Submitted

Your offer has been submitted successfully and we'll be in touch shortly.