Although Jaguar is often associated with low-slung 2-seat sports cars, their very first model was a sports saloon in the 1930s and there was always a variety of energetic 4-seaters in the Jaguar showrooms after World War II. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that Jaguar’s sport saloons are their greatest achievement—after all, it’s relatively easy to build a sports car that’s fun to drive, but a 4-door? Few other manufacturers have been able to duplicate Jaguar’s brilliant combination of comfort, elegance, and sheer joie de vivre in their more practical offerings. There are faster cars, there are bigger cars, there are more luxurious cars, but we would argue that few combine all such virtues better than this 1960 Jaguar Mark II sport saloon. As the old saying goes, it offers grace, pace, and space.

This Dark Opalescent Blue 1960 Jaguar Mark 2 is the recipient of an extremely expensive restoration that addressed cosmetics, interior, and mechanicals and it is absolutely spectacular today. Although the car was finished in the early 2000s with most of the work being done by JCO chief judge Paul Cusato at Growler Restorations, it remains in exquisite condition throughout thanks to excellent care, correct storage, and only light use. The dark blue paint simply glows on the curvaceous Mark II bodywork and sadly, the lights in our studio simply don’t do it justice—in the sunlight this car is a traffic-stopper. Finish quality is surely better than Jaguar’s own work in 1960, with even gaps, laser-straight sheetmetal, and precise fit and finish that makes it feel far more expensive than it is. As a unit-body car, the Mark 2 is particularly susceptible to rust, but as a lifetime southern car this one had no such issues and demonstrates almost 100% original bodywork and floors, so there are no concerns about nasty surprises hiding underneath. The rounded shape is a brilliant design that echoes the XK sports cars and demonstrates a clear familial resemblance, but the proportions of the Mark II are exactly right, giving this 4-door saloon a very sporting look. And as an upscale machine, lots of chrome—all of it restored to show standards—adds the right amount of elegance to the mid-sized Jag. Accessory driving lights, bumper guards, and fender-mounted mirrors help with the sporty elegance. This is the kind of car you can spend a great deal of time admiring and still not see all the wonderful details. It’s also worth noting that even Jaguar called it the “Mark 2” and not the “Mark II” as it’s right there on the boot lid.

Nobody else on the planet has yet matched the British for their interior craftsmanship. Aromatic leathers, deep, plush carpets, lustrous burled walnut, all of it makes for one of the most inviting passenger compartments ever devised. THIS is what luxury looks like. Even in 1960, much of the work was done by hand by skilled artisans and the materials are all natural—real wood, Connolly leathers, wool carpets. No faux wood or chrome-plated plastic here. During the restoration, the interior was restored to factory specifications and is just delightful. You don’t sit on the seats, you are invited into them. It feels criminal to wear shoes (although the custom-stitched floor mats help with this feeling) on those lovely carpets. And you can’t resist running your fingers along the burled walnut dash and window moldings. With rare reclining front seats, the driving position feels sporting and the large steering wheel was very much in fashion in 1960. Big Smiths gauges are traditional British fare and they all work properly, as does the original-equipment Blaupunkt AM/FM shortwave radio, which must have been cutting-edge tech in 1960. Toggle switches for the secondary controls are familiar to E-Type fans and all the big, heavy control knobs and levers feel expensive, not flimsy. Seat belts were added at some point and look like they were born in the car and there’s virtually zero wear on any of the leather seating surfaces—this car is extremely well-preserved. Rear seat space is reasonable for adults and it includes such niceties as fold-down tray tables, opera lights, and a center armrest. The trunk is surprisingly big for a car this size, and it includes a matching full-sized spare, original jack, brass hammer, and a complete factory tool kit.

There are stories in England of the Mark 2 being bank robbers’ favorite getaway car, and that’s surely due to the burly 3.8 liter DOHC inline-6 borrowed from the XK150. Earlier versions of the Mark 2 used smaller engines, but in the US, particularly when mated with the Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic transmission, the burly 3.8 is the engine you want. Rebuilt and highly detailed, the numbers-matching six runs as great as it looks, starting easily and idling with a bit of an anxious burble from the twin stainless pipes out back—this is a sports car engine, after all. The giant Coopers air cleaner dominates the engine bay, hiding the lovely polished aluminum cam covers and side-draft SU carburetors, but there’s no hiding the 220 horsepower it generates. Chokes were automatic by 1960, so it starts right up and on the road, the combination of all that creamy-smooth torque and the automatic transmission make this car shockingly easy to drive quickly. You will not correct fittings and hardware used throughout the engine bay, including proper Lucas electrical components, fabric-wrapped hoses, and delightfully old-world copper fuel lines and brass fittings. The exhaust manifolds are properly porcelainized and the polished aluminum bits shine just right. Did you expect less from a former JCNA award winner?

The Mark 2 was a unit-body car, using subframes and welded chassis members to provide strength. The car was not disassembled down to the molecular level for the restoration because there’s some merit to the idea that good original cars simply work and feel better than cars that have been fully disassembled, and that’s certainly the case here. Since the car comes from a dry climate, there was no need for any rust repair to the underbody and the structural members are completely sound. The front suspension was rebuilt (including new springs) and the 4-wheel disc brakes remain very modern-feeling and effective. The Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic transmission should not be considered a demerit in this car, as it has great ratios and quick reflexes suitable to the Jag’s grand touring mission. Combined with power steering, it remains eminently easy to handle for any driver at any level. A new exhaust system offers the same soundtrack enjoyed by the owner of a XK-150 sports car and the independent front suspension offers the same steering precision so it’s just joyous to drive. Unusual trailing leaf springs tame the Jag’s live axle, adding to its superlative ride comfort and capable handling, and there’s a new gas tank out back, so no worries about dirt in the fuel system. Sparkling chrome wire wheels have been fitted, along with a set of modern 195/75/15 wide whitewall radials for a period look and modern performance.

Documentation includes receipts, invoices, manuals, and Jaguar Club awards dating back many years. It also includes a complete factory tool kit in its original hard case which is probably worth a significant chunk of change all by itself.

This is surely one of the finest of its kind available anywhere and offers a known ownership history and long-term ownership by a JCNA judge. Prices are on the move for the Mark 2 as enthusiasts discover the joys of a sporting car that can carry the entire family. The restoration cost a good deal more than the asking price, not counting the cost of a clean California car, making this the right car to buy if you’re ready to drive. It measures up in every way that matters and is still one of the prettiest cars we’ve ever featured. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections on any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.