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1968 Jaguar MK2 340

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£25,705

  • Mileage~33,181
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual with Overdrive
  • Engine3.4-litres
  • LocationWatlington, Oxfordshire

SOLD

1968 Jaguar MK2 340

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Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

A exceptional example of one the 1960s best sporting saloons; The Jaguar MK2.

Created for the new age of long-distance motorway cruising, with the potential to traverse the continent with comfort and space, the MK2 Jaguar established the company as one of the world's foremost manufacturers of sporting family cars. An elegant evolution from the original models, the introduction of the 1959 MK2 utilised the advanced series of XK engines which powered the E-Types. Soon establishing itself as something of a literal everyman car, its race-track provenance continued to enhance Jaguar's reputation as the producer of finely tuned sporting cars.

Towards the end of the car's life, the specifications were mildly tuned down, to reflect the more competitive pricing of the MK2, but the character and virtues remained intact. The 3.4-litre with twin SU HD6 carburettors and manual overdrive gearboxes are often considered as one of the more sought-after MK2 versions, producing a useful 210 bhp, these finely balanced cars still feel genuinely quick to drive.

Registered in 1968, this late 3.4-litre manual with overdrive is finished in red. A solid base to start off with, it has seen an extensive amount of renovation and improvement over the last 12 years. Over £16,000 has been spent improving an already decent car, with notable work carried out on an engine rebuild, new paint, running gear and cosmetics. The car is currently in professional storage, it drives exceptionally well and has a near-flawless presentation. It comes with a workshop manual, 2 keys and a recent history file, as well as a cherished dateless number plate.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting William and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

A tribute to the owners tenacity, the car has seen regular attention.

There is evidence of the fastidious attention carried out by the previous owner, who took on the car in 2011 at 29,957 miles. It has only seen not much more than 3,000 additional miles since then. Over the past 12 years, it has seen an extensive record of renovation.

It is being stored at a reputable classic car facility in Oxfordshire, which has ensured that it has remained in full working order. The owner has documented his spending and effort poured into the car, which can be seen in the gallery section.

Barry's daughter, Sara, is handling the sale on his behalf.

Barry
Vehicle Owner

Barry saved £4,500* when they
sold their Jaguar with us.

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Exterior

Stunningly presented, the finishing of the car is genuinely head turning.

Wheels and Tyres

The wire wheels are cleanly presented with tight spokes.

The matching Michelin tyres are around 15 years old, but retain plenty of even and legal tread.

Bodywork

The car has been subjected to several historical restorations, the most current one carried over the last 10 years. The structure of the car is solid throughout, with the underside appearing not to suggest any significant weaknesses. The floorpan, chassis rails, jacking points, wheel, bonnet and boot wells appeared to be in solid condition.

The exterior too reflects the positive condition of the underside, with no immediate signs of damage to the metalwork, a healthy panel fit, even shut lines and no discernible damage on any of the panels. The doors open and close without any issues, with no signs of tired hinges.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The car was believed to have been originally finished in gold but has been repainted red with no trace of its original colour noted. A further complete respray was conducted in 2016.

The finish is very cohesive, with a pleasing lustre throughout. The colour match is even with no outstanding chips or roadwear. The driver's door shows signs of a mild paint reaction.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The car is adorned with pleasingly intact chrome trim, with no outstanding damage or age observed on the brightwork or rubber seals. The car has been fitted with the earlier style bumpers.

The lights and lenses are all intact, with retrofitted front fog lamps. There are a few age-related marks noted on the glass, mostly on the passenger front side panel and light marks on the windscreen. All of the glass and door seals are in decent shape.

Interior

Asides from a handful of subtle modern upgrades, the originality of the cabin is retained.

Seats and Carpets

The car's seats are in good shape with nothing more than creasing and no significant signs of age.

The Wessex scarlet wool carpets are in good condition, all damp-free.

The boot lining is intact with no signs of water ingress.

Dashboard

The dashboard and door capping veneer are intact, with its finish well presented, there was nothing more than a crack noted on the passenger side just above the glovebox.

The facia is in excellent condition, with a clean array of switches and dials.

Everything is said to function.

The headlining is tight with no blemishes and the door cards are clean and well-mounted.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The hydraulic power steering system appears to work well with minimal slackness.

The wheel itself is in decent order, with no outstanding damage.

The gear lever and its gaiter are in good condition.

Mechanics

Substantial attention has been carried over the last 12 years to ensure this MK2 runs as smoothly and reliabily as possible.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fires up with no issues, with no warning lights noted on the dashboard. It soon settles with a smooth tick-over, with no undulations from the engine or excessive exhaust smoke. The battery appears to be strong, with multiple starts carried out over the morning with no ill effects. The engine is very cleanly presented with healthy ancillaries and hoses, the Kenlowe fan performs its task with no impediments. The car appeared to be free of fluid leaks on the day too.

The gearbox and overdrive were demonstrated to be in very good working order, with no issues reported with the clutch.

It is worth noting that the engine has seen some careful future-proofing measures too. The engine was rebuilt in 2017 including a head prepared for unleaded fuel, a new sports manifold, stainless steel exhaust, new core plugs, electronic ignition, an uprated large core radiator, a new water pump, rebuilt carburettors and a complete clutch overhaul.

Suspension and Brakes

No suspension noises were heard when the car was pulling or braking and absorbed the road with no knocks.

The uprated braking system was demonstrated to be fit for purpose with no grinding or uneven pulling on the steering wheel.

The Drive

The car rides very smoothly, and encompasses the reputation that the MK2 established, with plenty of pace with ride comfort. The car cruises without effort, with a glorious mix of induction and exhaust noise. Dealing with the country roads with ease, the car was demonstrated to run up to temperature with no ill effects or worries in terms of oil pressure. Finding a cruising sweet spot at around 40-50 mph, the car performed confidently with no mechanical rattles heard.

Electrics and Other

The car has been retrofitted with a period-styled digital radio, a fire extinguisher and rear seat belts.

History and Paperwork

A file of carefully organised invoices covering recent spending tallies up to over £16,000.

Initially registered in Bristol in February 1968 by Henlys, the car comes with an impressive array of recent invoices, MOTs and documentation as well as its Heritage certificate. The owner has also included DVLA copies of the previous ownership paper trail, covering 55 years of ownership details. Within the owner's notes, he states that it was originally finished in gold, resprayed in red in 1982 and presumable rustproofed during the strip down.

The quality of the previous work has been quantified by the owner's mechanic, but it has subsequently seen a continuous overhaul since 2011 which tallies up to around £16,000. This covers a 2017 repaint and wax oil treatment, engine rebuild, running gear overhaul and much of the trim and fittings replaced or refurnished.

The owner has also registered an ageless plate to the car, which is part of the sale. It is MOT and Tax exempt and has a ten-year clean sweep of advisory-free MOTs up to 2020.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned an HPI check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
21-04-2020 MOT 32,677
18-02-2019 MOT 32,470
22-02-2018 MOT 31,567
23-02-2017 MOT 30,536
04-12-2015 MOT 30,468
30-10-2014 MOT 30,299
31-10-2013 MOT 30,241
02-11-2012 MOT 30,127
17-05-2012 Service
19-11-2010 MOT 29,780
24-09-2011 MOT 29,486
Key Details
  • ModelMK2 340
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual with Overdrive
  • Reg. Date16-02-1968
  • CC3442
  • Mileage~33,181 on clock
  • HistoryRecent
  • ColourRed
  • Interior ColourRed
  • Chassis #1J51177DN
  • Engine #7J514738
  • Matching #sYes
  • Last Service17-05-2012
  • RestoredYes, undocumented
  • Engine RebuildYes
  • MOTExp. 20-04-2021
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes All Clear
  • Former Keepers7
  • Tyre BrandMichelin
  • Tyre Age2008
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned12 years
  • Key FeatureCondition
  • Auction ID1634







Vehicle Sold

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11 Comments
NSG
NSG
1 year ago

Hello, Is it possible to view the car tomorrow? best wishes Nigel

ColinB
ColinB
Admin
  NSG
1 year ago

Hi Nigel,

We can help arrange a viewing for you, if you send an email to hello@tradeclassics.com, there’s a couple of checks we need to do first.

Thanks,
Colin.

NSG
NSG
  ColinB
1 year ago

I have emailed. I viewed another of your cars a few months ago as per my email. best wishes Nigel

gbrowncls
gbrowncls
1 year ago

Hi,
Can you confirm the state of the syncromesh on the gearbox? I noticed that you seemed to be double de clutching on the down changes.
Thanks

gbrowncls
gbrowncls
1 year ago

I think it’s too late to be a 3.4 and so is likely a 340 I think with earlier bumpers added? Cam covers are correct for a 340 with straight port head. Although rare, I believe leather was still an option on 340s. I’m sure owner can confirm.

ArthurMellow
ArthurMellow
1 year ago

Hi
I am assuming that the finned cam covers and steering lock have been added during the refurbishment? Along with the EPS. I also note that they are calling the car a 340? It is clearly a late MKII 3.4 with leather and curly bumpers. The 340 had slim bumpers and Ambla (Vinyl) seat covers.

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics
  ArthurMellow
1 year ago

Arthur, my knowledge is the MKII was discontinued as a name and so was the 3.8 in 1967. From Sep 1967 (68 model years) the 2.4 became the 240 and 3.4 the 340. This is a Feb 1968 car and as such is a 340 as shown on the V5 too. I’m fairly certain fluted cam covers were fitted at this time – not polished.

The bumpers and interior could have been changed of course at any point in the past easily. Adam TC

ArthurMellow
ArthurMellow

Thanks for the response…..Ribbed cam covers? Not to sure if they were ever fitted but no sweat. Been around Jaguars for over 50 years, so have acquired a little of knowledge. But we never stop learning.

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics
  ArthurMellow
1 year ago

You’re welcome Arthur. I’m not a big expert on MKIIs, my knowledge is stronger on E-Types. I’ve been around them for years and own some and still most weeks I learn something new. Once thing is for sure, at this time Jaguar used to make the most of the ‘parts bin’ on change over years hahah. Of course the MKII bumpers look better than the 340, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a thing people used to do. All the best Adam

gbrowncls
gbrowncls
  ArthurMellow
1 year ago

Yes ribbed Cam covers on the later 240 and 340 models. Some very early 240 and 340 cars I think used the remaining polished covers, as far as I am aware, but after that all xk engines were ribbed Cam covers.

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Vehicle Location

Watlington, Oxfordshire

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