Combining sportscar performance with saloon practicality, the 3.4 litre version of Jaguar’s ground breaking MKI was introduced in 1957. Sharing the same monocoque bodyshell as its established 2.4 litre sibling, the newcomer was similarly equipped with independent coil and wishbone front suspension and a Panhard rod-located leaf-sprung back axle. However, with some 210bhp and 215lbft of torque on tap, the larger engined model was easily capable of overwhelming its hydraulic drum brakes prompting Jaguar to hurriedly introduce a four-wheel disc option (later standardised). Structurally over-engineered (especially above the waistline), the MKI 3.4 litre lent itself to competition usage with even the standard road going variant being reputedly capable of 120mph. Maintaining a sense of originality despite being stylistically indebted to its MKVII and XK140 siblings, the MKI 3.4 litre remained in production until 1959 by which time some 17,406 are thought to have left the Browns Lane factory.

We love a Jaguar saloon and we especially like a well sorted Mark I. Here is such a car. Mechanically Originally manufactured at Browns Lane in 1959 and presented in the correct Cotswold Blue with correct 3. 4 litre engine mated to the as ordered manual and overdrive gearbox. First change of keeper to a Mr Johnson who kept the car until May 1986 before passing the car onto Mr David Tippett and then to a Miss Davis who inherited the car. Taken on by our client, a very experienced Jaguar collector the car has been thoroughly mechanically sorted including an engine refresh. As such it presents as structurally solid with good door shuts and a nicely patinated interior. The main strength of this car is the way it gets down the road with that fresh 3. 4 engine and a very nice gearbox with smooth overdrive and good brakes. Keeping its cool on a boiling hot day test run gives me confidence to suggest the car will be a much admired and very reliable Jaguar to enjoy, You could make some cosmetic improvements if you wish or just enjoy the car for the 67year old reliable companion it will be. Supplied with numerous V5’s dating back to the 1980’s and a thick file of bills for work undertaken in recent years the Mark I represents excellent opportunity to join the quite exclusive Jaguar Mark I owners club