1962 Jaguar Mark II

Description

This 1962 Jaguar Mark II sedan is the family car with the heart of an E-Type. Beautifully styled and offering a spirited driving experience, it's exactly what you'd expect from England's most accessible luxury marque.

Dressed in basic black, this long, sleek Jag looks like a million bucks. Refinished some years ago, it has a wonderful look that's still bright and shiny, yet inviting and appropriate, making it hard to resist. The curvaceous styling of the Mark II sedan is unmistakably Jaguar and you can see echoes of the XK150 in the grille and front end, not to mention the curving rear window. All four doors fit well and close with a firmness that's hard to quantify and which buyers would pay extra to have on their cars today. There's plenty of bright trim, all of it done with exquisitely good taste, and it shows rather well, particularly the oval grille up front and the wonderful taillight housings in back. This car also carries a set of built-in Lucas "flamethrower" driving lamps in addition to the headlights, giving the big cat a very elegant face.

The British are famous for building interiors like nobody else on Earth, and this Jaguar is the epitome of British elegance. Soft leather hides cover the seats, which are so nice that they have to have been restored not too long ago. Deep carpets suggest luxury and help control noise and all the wood you see is actual walnut, not some simulation. The interior is awash in patina of the right kind, lending it a casual look that can be dressed up for a night on the town and is always appropriate. The big steering wheel has a slender rim and the car can be guided with just your fingertips and the 4-speed manual gearbox is a delight to row through the gears. Big, round Smiths gauges remain fully functional and the car sports an unusual telescoping steering column so it's easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. A Vintage Air A/C system has been discreetly installed under the dash, making this sedan a wonderful choice for long-distance touring. The boot (that's a trunk to us Yanks) is spacious enough for overnight bags and includes a spare tire under the floor.

Under the long hood beats the heart of an E-Type, a 3.8 liter DOHC inline-six that makes silky smooth power rivaled only by an electric motor. The scintillating soundtrack is a big part of the Jag's appeal, designed to be enjoyed not simply quiet. You can forget the unfair rumors about British electrical systems, as this car starts quickly and easily and drives so well you'll forget that it's more than 50 years old. With lots of polished aluminum and an aftermarket chrome air cleaner, it has a nicely detailed look under the hood and like many owners, you'll probably discover that keeping it healthy really isn't all that much of a challenge after all. The undercarriage is quite original, with a suspension that ideally blends handling and ride comfort in a way no other automaker has been able to duplicate. A correct dual exhaust system sounds fantastic and the rear end appears to have been recently serviced. Four-wheel disc brakes were a standard feature on Jaguars long before most other brands, and they live behind some gorgeous chrome wire wheels with brand new 205/75/15 whitewall radials all around.

A simply stunning car that's every bit as wonderful to drive. With just the right patina, it has old world charm with performance that feels far younger. Call today!