Saloon Project: 1959 Jaguar Mk II
Although the seller doesn’t identify the model of this 1959 Jaguar, it looks like an Mk II. It was a mid-size luxury sports sedan (aka saloon) that was in production from 1959 through 1967 in Merry Ole England. During the car’s lifespan, nearly 84,000 copies were built with three engine choices (2.4-liter, 3.4-liter, and 3.8-liter). This first-year example is a non-runner, mostly complete, and has its fair share of rust to be dealt with. Located in Denham Springs, Louisiana, this British project is available here on craigslist for $3,000 OBO. Thanks to Chuck Foster for bringing this tip our way.
We understand that the Mk II was a fast car that handled well. Their advertising slogan in those days was “Grace . . . Space . . . Pace” which seemed appropriate. These cars were powered by an inline-6 that produced between 120 and 220, depending upon the setup. All the seller tells us is this car has a motor, but we don’t know anything about it or what it would take to get it running again. And he/she says it has eight cylinders, but that may be in error.
The passenger side of this sedan has either loads of surface rust all over the doors or they’re stained. The rocker panels look to be more terminal and – from the inside photos – the floorboards look to be getting rather thin. This all adds up to a car that will have to spend a lot of time in the body shop to get corrected. Also disconcerting is there are a lot of loose wires dangled from under the dashboard. Has some woodland creature been chewing on them? Would you be better off finding a nicer example to restore, even at more money?
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Comments
Are those rust spots or bullet holes on the passenger side? Probably worth the three grand if they are bullet holes 🤣
I seem to recall these Jags were called “Bank Robbers” as they were fast and could hold the whole gang during the getaway. Am I getting senile or is there any truth in that?
Formerly owned by a Mafia Don.
I also heard that they were very popular getaway cars back in the 60’2 in GB. Robber’s Choice Award 4 years straight!
It was paws shooting car. 3 more payments and it’s his.
“Ah LOVED my Jagwar!”
I was thinking the same thing when I first eyed the photos.
Rusty as the Titanic.
Crush it and hang it on a saloon wall….
Sure looks like a saloon project.
Bleeding rust, few pictures that might indicate more rust. Part what can be sold, crush the rest.
Probably a Mk II as noted; Mk I’s had painted pillar where the door windows met. This looks like chrome. If so, it’s an early Mk II. Still, run away! run away!
It is a Mk 11. The Mk1 window frames were a continuation of the actual door whereas the Mk 11 had chrome surrounds.
Holy geez..did someone shoot it with an Ovaltine gun? :O
Nice car. Too bad about the leprosy…
Looks like someone has sprayed something on the surface rust to prevent further damage and it ran. Surface rust remediation’s not that hard, but if the floor pans are really crusty they should be replaced. Judging from the driver’s floor, that would be easy, you don’t need original pans. The side profile is really cool looking to me, I really like it. As far as the engine/transmission goes? If you can’t save ’em, swap ’em.
I may be mistaken but I think almost all the sheet metal panels that get rust are available in reproduction form because this is one of the most popular models that Jaguar built for the English Market. They are not that difficult to replace as there are many shops in England doing just that.
These are wonderful cars for a weekend with your wife or best girl and if your wife the children can sit in the back. This is a car that from the ones I have been in have the tables on the backs of the front seats. Great for the children to play with. The trunk or boot is huge almost the equal of a big American sedan.
For many that do not know the founder of Jaguar Sir William Lyon had to approve all the styling of cars produced under his time at Jaguar. He had very good taste and as in the XK series of sports cars simple elegance is the key word. I have never worked on one of these only the XK’s from the 120 to the V-12 E Type so I can not say anything about working on them except I would not be too worried about the wiring. As I have noted in the past English cars of this time had natural rubber insulation which worked great in the mild temperatures of England and deteriorated quickly in other environments. Totally wiring looms are available and should be considered a given. The rest with the possible exception of the fuel pump should work just fine. The points of the fuel pump tend to wear out and that is another part I would just replace in total if it were mine.
For the price it is well worth bringing back if the rust is limited to surface, rockers and floor pans. Otherwise this is a very elegant and complete parts car.
Correct on the type lol. Back in the early 80s I rehabbed a 67 Saloon and the stainless at the door joining sis the clue. The type l’s had about 2-1/2 inches more overhang from the rear wheel opening to the back bumper. Morris and Jag-Classics are good suppliers for parts. Lucas electrical is ok if you don’t mess with it too much or ask to much of it.Very expensive now,I’m sure.
If titled as a 59 would be a very early Mk2 (I have two of them). This being from Louisiana, I’m guessing that someone put some creosote on the rust areas. They don’t say what engine is in it which will make a big difference in its value. Listed as an automatic but is has a floor shift so either they are wrong or they have gotten ‘creative’ with the shifter. Wire wheels are a plus no matter what. As said, its a bit rusty anyway but nothing that parts aren’t readily available for. Most disconcerting is the light shining through on the right-hand floor at the rocker. THAT isn’t an easy/cheap fix. I can’t say much tho, I’m repairing one that is worse…
“All it takes is a pinch between your cheek and your gums”, and stop spitting out the windows
Who knows, it may be an 8. IIRC in the early 60s a few dealers would offer as an option swapping out the Jag engine for a small block V8
In all honesty, it could be an 8. But then it would also have to be Daimler (which its not) and be at least a 62
I think it has been converted from Jaguar straight 6 with overdrive stick box to a small block V8 with an automatic gearbox by the look of that shift lever.
I think you are absolutely correct Pat. If I remember correctly these early Jags had the Moss gearbox which had a very long throw, which necessitated an equally long gear lever, whereas this lever looks to be quite short. Ken Tilly, UK.
Gear shifter does not look like a Jaguar item so probably v8 converted,
I think it is later than 1959 but not enough pictures to be sure, 1959 was the first year of the Mk2, the large square sun visors were recessed into the headliner, seats had 7 pleats rather than 8, the chrome door window surrounds lacked the corner gusset and so the windows sucked out at the top at around 100mph, also the oil pressure gauge read to 100psi, later to 60psi, a 50 should have all of the above, some features carried on into the 60’s but by 1966 ish none of the above would present,
Dang, I remember now an uncle of mine bought one for a winter beater in the mid 60s.