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The Overview
Throughout Jaguar’s sporting history, especially in the 1960’s, the word Saloon (or sedan) is hardly what comes to mind for most. Though it is in reality this body style and for Jaguar specifically, this type of car, a family style 4-door, that kept Jaguar present across the market ranges. But not without being sporting of course, which is primarily thanks to its DNA, which is shared with Jaguars sports cars and race cars of the period. The Jaguar MKII is perhaps the epitome of the 1960’s super sedan, a sort of BMW M5 of it’s day. The options were plentiful, and the car served a dual purpose as a grocery getter, but also as a spirited driver for the road and also, eventually, for the track as well. MKII buyers had the choice of a 3.4 or 3.8 Twin Cam engine from the E-Type, 4-Speed or Automatic, and Overdrive. Power steering came standard, but A/C was soon offered as was a sunroof, wire wheels, and some fantastic colors as well. The MKII ran its course from 1959 through 1967 before being replaced by the 240/340’s which were essentially the same car in many ways, but perhaps a little watered down. In total nearly 90,000 examples were produced in total ranging in a variety of options and colors.
The example on offer here, we know that Chassis # P220220DN, thanks to its JDHT Certificate was manufactured on January 22nd 1962 and shows to be the 1,220th example built. What is very rare and quite interesting however is that this example was fitted with the 95th 3.8L High compression engine (#LC1095-9) when new, which it still carries today. Out of the thousands of cars built, 1 in every 120 or so would receive a high compression 3.8L (-9 suffix) engine. Combing this factor with the highly desirable 4-Speed, mated to overdrive, and wire wheels this made for quite possibly the best possible combination. Finished in Opalescent Gunmetal over a Red interior, it not only performed to its best abilities, but it also looked the part as well in this stunning color combination. No doubt, this was about as good as it got in 1962 for a Jaguar Sedan, best colors, best options, period.
This example was later dispatched on February 6th, 1962 and was destined for Capitol Motors in New Jersey where it was sold new to well known Princeton Playwright John O’Hara. John O’Hara was certainly a man fitting of a Jaguar Motor Car. He was an accomplished writer, screenplay writer, was a runner up for the Nobel Prize, served as a reported in the Pacific Theatre and was overall a self made and very talented Man. Some of his works were considered a bit racy during their release in the 1930’s, but in reality it all plainly sums up a man fitting for ultimate sedan of his time, racy, contrasting, and full fledged. The MKII stayed with Mr. O’hara for about 5 years until it was traded in at Nassau Conover Motor Company of Princeton, NJ in November of 1967, only 3-years before O’Hara’s Death. It was soon sold to a Mr. John T. Bentley, of Lawrenceville, NJ who owned the car for only 2.5 years before it was for sale yet again.
In 1971 it was acquired by its third and most recent owner, a Mr. Noe LaFrambroise of Trenton, NJ. At the time of acquisition the car had roughly 60,000 miles on it, and was its new owner’s main transportation. As an enthusiast of the Marque Mr. LaFrambroise was no stranger to Jaguar having owned nearly a dozen of the course of his lifetime. The MKII was driven daily, serviced, enjoyed and never stuffed away to be forgotten. By the late 1980’s the car was showing signs of age and some rust was evident on the left rear fender and front right fender and so the car was sent in for some light metal work, a respray in the original color, and new seat covers to be added as well. The work was completed and the car was enjoyed once more. By the 1990’s the MKII was entering it’s time as a classic car, and so it was driven less often and resided in a collection of other Jaguars, but again, never languishing and always in order. Over the years the car was cared for by both its owner and under the services of “Jaguar Specialists” of Fallsington, PA. Services performed ranged from oil changes, total brake overhauls, clutch hydraulics to valve adjustments. But it seems the car has always been drama free and as a result remains matching numbers with the engine never removed and everything in tact as it has always been.
Today this MKII offers a tremendous opportunity for any onlooker who wants a driver or perhaps a car to restore. Mechanically it is excellent but not quite perfect. It starts instantly, idles smoothly and makes instant power showing good oil pressure when cold. It holds excellent temperature and runs quiet, smooth, and shows no sign of needs. We have noticed once warm the oil pressure drops off a bit, and once in the rev range may only climb as high as 25 or 30 pounds rather than 40-60 pounds. None the less it runs well, shifts well with excellent clutch, steering and overdrive operation, even at 100MPH (yes, we did). We did notice however that the braking may be in need of some attention. While the fronts are in perfect working order, the rears don’t seem to be gripping the calibers. As a result the car should have the brakes tended to and a general check over of the car performed to ensure that it is 100% safe and reliable as a road going driver.
Cosmetically the car shows it’s age consistently throughout and has held up nicely over the years. The paint is the original color to the car, and it shows to be pretty straight down the sides with good gaps and panel fitment everywhere, showing to have never been hit, ever. There are a few issues where previous work is coming undone near the right rear fender, lower, and right front fender. It is minor, but upon close inspection is evident. The chrome is original and still shining, but showing its age overall and is debatable as to it needing replating. The rubber is dry and the glass original as well, but all usable and very consistent with the rest of the car. Overall the theme is definitely “mostly original, with some patina”, it has plenty of character and remains good fun in its current condition. However, should its next custodian judge it as such, it is also the absolute perfect candidate for an exterior cosmetic restoration.
Upon entering the interior one can notice very original and solid door jams with no issue. One thing that is immediately noticeable is the excellent original patina throughout the interior. All of the finishes apart from the seat covers are original and present nicely as originals, it is an area of the car that should absolutely be preserved and not restored, ever. The wood is good original showing a little age, as are the carpets, headliner, dash, all gauges switches etc… everything has a very consistent, presentable and original look to it. Everything also appears to be in proper working order as well, all of the interior accessories are in correct working order as far as we can tell and overall it is a very nice place to be. We suspect most will keep the interior just the way it is and preserve this aspect of the car.
The engine bay is another place of high originality. There Is factory red primer under any chipped paint throughout as well as original finishes and items everywhere, a very rare thing. The block and head are completely matching and overall this area of the car further confirms that it has never been hit or rusty and always the way it is today. There is an average amount of seepage/leakage as expected from an old driver quality and highly original car, but everything is present and functioning as it should. Overall a servicing should be done to ensure the car is in order for regular and reliable use.
The trunk is very much like the engine bay. It retains all original paint throughout and is not rusty anywhere at all. One of the most remarkable items aside from the ever present factory red primer is the underside of the boot lid; which is highly original and still shows a factory chalk marking that says “GUN/MET” for gunmetal metallic, the factory color, this is one of the cooler original things we have seen and is incredible.
The underside is solid overall, good solid straight floors and underside all over. Two of the doglegs show a little rust as does the driver side rear fender. It should be tended to, however it could easily be driven and presentably as-is for the next few years without an issue, especially if stored properly. Underneath it is basically as expected from a 100,000 mile MKII, dirty, oily, and driven, but 90% solid and acceptable.
This is a prime example for an enthusiast who understands both originality and the ultimate combination of options/colors available from Jaguar in 1962, for a Sedan. It also offers the best possible base for light restoration, but preservation could also be a common theme with this example as well. With E-Type power, sophisticated looks, contrasting colors, and a plethora of go-fast and usable options, this MKII is sure to be the best option in any stable of sedans. Included in the sale is a JDHT Certificate, original books, warranty booklet, tools, jack, spare, and records/history from new until now. A great experience for very little money and a worthwhile investment.
Available Documentation: (Click on the links below to view the file)