My neighbour got himself a new toy last week, a 1961 Jaguar Mk2 3.4 in stunning Royal Blue condition. The thing is a real minter, and just beautiful. It has more character in one of it's fender mounted sidelights than any new EV! Of course I also love it as it gobbles the planet up at a rate of about 20Mpg LOL The noise of that engine would wake the dead, simply stunning. Yep, I reckon any proper petrolhead would go weak at the knees on seeing it!

EDIT

It's a 3.8, D'oh....

Beautiful

Very nice 👍 

Royal Blue though ? 🧐 

Lovely! Mind you, a 3.8 would be even nicer and slurp up gas at an even faster rate!😀

8 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Lovely! Mind you, a 3.8 would be even nicer and slurp up gas at an even faster rate!😀

His dad owns a 3.4 'E' Type, it's officially the fastest in the UK with various engine mods (got the certificate at Goodwood!). So there is a natural partnership between the 2 cars with the Mk2 also having many engine mods. I'm pretty sure it'll gobble up the planet at the same rate as a 3.8 LOL

2 hours ago, StephenFord said:

His dad owns a 3.4 'E' Type

E Type was a 3.8 afaik, later 4.2 then the 5.3 V12 (in the Series 3).

Talking of mods, I remember the name Coombs being prominent in Jag modding back in the day. Came across this a while ago - check out the prices!

http://www.jaguarmk2.info/coombs_modifications.html

Back in the 70s, I used to go to the local car auctions from time to time out of interest, and there were loads of Mk 2s going cheap as chips back then. If only........!😀

 

7 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

E Type was a 3.8 afaik, later 4.2 then the 5.3 V12 (in the Series 3).

Now,  I could have sworn he said his Mk2 had the same engine as his dad's E Type. There was a prototype E type with a 3.4, but I doubt if his dad's car is that rare! Must ask again next time we have a sunny day and are pottering about in our gardens LOL

 

3 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

.There was a prototype E type with a 3.4.

I wouldn't be surprised - there are some weird prototypes. I'm sure I read somewhere of a very early prototype car having the smallest 2.4 version which I've always thought of as the poor relation of the XK engines. 

 

When I was first driving in early 80s you could buy old jags of that era for a couple of hundred quid.  Mind you they were absolutely rotten underneath. 

In the 1980's I was servicing the damn things. Spark plugs on a V12 5.3 xks. Climbed into the engine bay to do them.  Struggle to climb the stairs now. 😂😂😂

I was wrong all along LOL It is an actual 3.8, just as suggested by @Eric Bloodaxe. Still a beautiful car, and I've been promised a ride in it next sunny day

3 hours ago, StephenFord said:

I've been promised a ride in it next sunny day

Hope you've got better weather than I'm having here at the moment, or it'll be a long wait!😀

Every time I look at that car I see another detail I love - this is embossed into the rear bumper, warning following drivers it is equipped with 'disc brakes' which in 1961 was cutting edge, so prepare for Jag to stop suddenly LOL

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

warning following drivers it is equipped with 'disc brakes' which in 1961 was cutting edge

I remember "Discs" stickers were a popular bragging accessory back in the day, particularly with scooter riders, Lambrettas of 175cc upwards having gained a front disc brake in 1962 or thereabouts. (Mind you, they were pretty useless as I recall!😀)

That's a nice detail, but feels a bit lost there.  Would have to be tailgating to read it, which sort of defeats the purpose!  

I remember 'ABS' badges being a common thing to spot on a family road trip in the mid 90's...  

On 5/5/2022 at 4:59 PM, StephenFord said:

 Still a beautiful car, and I've been promised a ride in it next sunny day

Well, got my ride in it!! Said he needed petrol, so did I want to come along, was a bit disappointed as the garage is only half a mile away, but still. Anyway, he bypassed the 'nearest' and took me a proper 20 mile drive along some great B roads, that thing can handle, and the take off with overdrive is superb. I just love the smell of vintage leather and the faint whiff of petrol. The attention it got in the petrol station, it's as if a pop star had turned up! I'm well & truly smitten...