1962 Jaguar MK II - Reader Ride

By: Bill Kennedy

Date: 04.02.2017

Bill Kennedy's Jaguar journey

My involvement with Jaguar cars spans the last 45 years having been attracted to these vehicles from a very early age. I have been a member of the Queensland Jaguar Drivers Club for over 20 years now, and enjoy the occasional club run and the fellowship of being with other enthusiasts.

When people ask, "Why Jaguar?" I reply that I have always felt that they represent wellengineered, visually appealing vehicles sold at an affordable cost. I purchased my car in 1993 recognising at the time that this car was a prime example of the marque.

It left the factory as an automatic but I have since converted it to a full-synchro Jaguar four-speed manual with overdrive for a superior driving experience.

In every other respect the car is as it left the factory, all numbers matching and the same opalescent dark green duco with green leather interior. A ground-up restoration was completed with significant detail and new door skins were fitted, new sills, new front cross-member, all signs of rust eliminated in any panels not replaced, aluminium radiator, all brightwork redone, complete rework of internal timberwork to a very high standard, even the dash clock works and the tool kit is compete right down to the Jaguar embossed shifting spanner. The 3.8-litre motor has had all the necessary work done as has the overdrive unit.

The automatic cars were all fitted with limited-slip diffs, an option on the manual cars, so as this car was originally an auto it has that feature also. Electrics have been done with new looms and the brakes and steering are right up there too. The car comes with four-wheel disc brakes which was way ahead of its time back then.

Glass and rubbers are all done and a stainless steel exhaust has been fitted and it can growl or purr depending on how you choose to drive it.

Valuation guide:

An original, good condition example could fetch upwards of $40k.

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