Long before BMW launched the 5 Series and Nissan debuted the PGC10 Skyline GT-R, Jaguar introduced the stunning MK1 from Coventry. This sporty sedan was later succeeded by the even more dynamic MK2 in 1959, which was also marketed under the names 240 and 340.
During the era when Sir William Lyons was in charge, the MK2 had a 3.8-liter engine, the same one used in the Series 1 E-Type. However, its heavier weight and less aerodynamic design meant it couldn’t match the XK-E in a straight-line race.
The game changed when John Coombs, a British racing driver, team owner, and entrepreneur, applied his racing expertise to enhance the MK2 with the largest of its three inline-six engines. It’s estimated that Coombs modified between 30 to 40 of these vehicles. However, the 3.8-litre MK2 offered by Iconic Auctioneers isn’t one of these highly sought-after versions. The history of chassis number 233517 remains unknown before 1992, the year it was purchased by a man named Vann.
The leading UK De Tomaso specialist and restorer, Three Point Four, began its restoration immediately. By 1997, this majestic car had its 3.8-liter six-engine rebuilt, balanced, and finely tuned. Unlike the E-Type 3.8-Litre, which used three SU carburetors, this sedan was equipped with two. It also received new Koni shock absorbers, a front anti-roll bar, enhanced coil springs at the front, and Coombs-style chromed wire wheels and rear wheel arches.
Additional features include period-style chromed mirrors, a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a Pioneer stereo system. Reupholstered by Suffolk & Turley after 1997, Vann retained ownership for almost two decades. The current owner acquired it in 2020 for approximately £51,750, equivalent to about $64,595.
Similar to the uncertain period Jaguar faced after being taken over by British Leyland Motor, the Jaguar of 2024, now under Tata Motors, is at a pivotal moment. The automaker plans to cease production of internal combustion vehicles by June, shifting focus to electric vehicles using the Jaguar Electric Architecture.
The first of three JEA-based models will be a four-door grand tourer, set to launch by the end of 2024 with deliveries beginning in 2025. Priced at around £100,000 or nearly $125,000, this new model must perform exceptionally well to reaffirm Jaguar’s reputation among luxury car manufacturers. Unfortunately, the likelihood of a new sports sedan reminiscent of the MK2 or earlier MK1 seems slim, given the growing preference for SUVs.