2026-01-31 09:46:46 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 3/26
www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1961-jaguar-mkii-to-fast-road-specification/

Auction description:
18th Mar, 2026 Kelham Hall, Newark, Nottinghamshire
1961 Jaguar MkII to 'Fast-Road' Specification
No Reserve
Registration No: 8282 UR
Chassis No: 107311DN
MOT: Exempt

Extensively restored cosmetically and mechanically with work completed in 2014
Uprated with an overhauled ‘fast road’ specification 3.4 Litre engine during the restoration period
Offered with a thick history file detailing expenditure throughout the restoration plus early history including the original buff log book
To be sold on behalf of the late owner's estate

For many the definitive Jaguar sports Saloon, the Mk. II was introduced in October, 1959. A peerless blend of elegance and muscularity, its sleek lines clothed an evolution of the Coventry marque's first monocoque design. Powered by derivatives of the same XK DOHC straight-six engine that had swept Jaguar to five Le Mans victories, the Mk. II was quick to dominate contemporary Saloon car racing. Equipped with coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle and servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes! Blessed with one of the all-time great automotive interiors, its stylish instrumentation, rich wood veneers and sumptuous leather upholstery all conspired to cosset and cocoon occupants.

This Mk. II is an impressive machine in so many respects. For one, it retains its full ownership history, and for another, it has been subtly renovated to a racy “fast road” specification, but what is perhaps most remarkable is that it has more or less spent its whole life in Hertfordshire. Originally a 2.4 and painted Grey, our Jaguar was first registered ‘ATB 4’ in April, 1961, to the Watton Poultry Co. Ltd. of Watton-at-Stone. In February, 1962, it passed briefly to Arthur Bacon of Sacombe Green, but re-entered company service in May with Leroi, Flesch & Co. Ltd., an insurance broker at 164, Tottenham Court Road. The new owner from September, 1964, was George Holt of Bengeo, and in 1968 it went to Ernest Skipp of Cottered. The change to Red and the reregistration to ‘8282 UR’ both occurred in period, the latter probably when the Jaguar was discharged from Watton Poultry.

It appears Skipp stopped taxing the car in 1980. The late recent owner purchased it in 2013 and subjected it to a comprehensive programme of renovations which saw it fitted with a 3.4-litre, triple-SU engine tuned by VSE Engineering to its high-performance VS02 specification, with a KE transmission. The VS02 conversion included a lightened flywheel, stronger big-end bolts, heavy-duty bearings, ported and polished inlet ports, reworked exhaust ports, special valve guides, heavy-duty valve springs, an unleaded conversion, and camshafts modified to meet the owner’s specific requirements. In addition to the engine work, £12,500 was spent with Flying Cat Coachworks on the bodywork during 2014, and expenditure for new parts with Martin Robey exceed £3763 and included an “Extra Cool” radiator.

The Mk. II was greatly enjoyed by the late owner, and MOTs issued between 2018 and 2024 testify to it being meticulously maintained. It is offered with much paperwork including the most recent V5C; the original buff logbook, service voucher book, and operating and maintenance manual; many invoices; several MOT certificates; and an Autopress workshop manual.