This is my 1959 Jaguar MK2 3.8 Automatic.
As a bit of history this car is the first 3.8 model built and was originally constructed as left hand drive but then changed over to right hand drive at the factory (this is noted in the original build records).
The car was allocated to Claude Baily who was one of the engine designers at Jaguar and it was used for development work until mid 1961 where the records seem to stop and I assume the car was then sold off into private ownership.
I bought the car in 2011 and restored it between 2013 and 2018, it is unmodified from original specification with the exception of radial tyres, seatbelts (lap belts in the front only as it has no mounting in the top of the B/C pillar) and the air cleaner is a later type
Compaired to later models it has some interesting feature such as:
- The gear selector and indicator switch are the opposite way round (gears on the left, indicators on the right)
- The sunvisors are recessed into the rooflining.
- The pips on top of the front sidelights are white not red.
- The centre section of the dash is painted black not covered in vinyl.
- The brackets for a MK1 style handbrake cable are located on the car but not used.
- The section of the wing where the side light pod fits is different (its solid under the pod on this car but has a seperate plate on later models).
- The front seat mounting brackets are fixed on with self tapping screws to the crossmember whereas they are welded on later cars.
- The front seats have a smaller cutout in the back of them for the rear passengers feet.
- The door drain channels are different (they are a seperate plate pop riveted on).
- The door chrome surrounds don't have the reinforcing angle on them.
There are probably lots of other things that I have missed.
