Registration No: 595 BLA
Chassis No: 184965
MOT: January 2023

• In previous ownership for some 48 years and just four private keepers from new
• In dry storage from the 1980s until entering into current ownership in February 2017 as a restoration project
• Benefitted from a comprehensive restoration with originality in mind
• UK-supplied, matching numbers example
• Offered with a history file which includes a Jaguar Daimler Trust Heritage Certificate

For many, the definitive Jaguar sports saloon, the MkII 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 Man's victories, the MkII was quick to dominate contemporary saloon car racing. Synonymous with the swinging ’60s and the hit TV series, Inspector Morse, the Jaguar MkII has been used as a vehicle to transport everyone from dignitaries and politicians to bank robbers and the criminal select. When released, traditional Jaguar buyers had no need to feel alienated by the new offering from Coventry as the interior was up to their usual standards with leather and walnut being the order of the day. With 112bhp available, the 2.4 was not overly burdened with pace so, importantly, coupled with a manual gearbox it would be the more frugal of the range.

Chassis number ‘184965’ was manufactured on the 11^th of November 1960 being dispatched on the 25^th of November to Henlys of London for retailing. Fitted with the 2483cc straight-six engine allied to a four-speed manual transmission, the Jaguar is finished in Indigo Blue with complimentary Blue leather interior upholstery. Boasting matching chassis, engine, and gearbox numbers, the Jaguar was registered new to C. & J. Carpets Ltd of W1 London. Retained them until purchase by the first private keeper in 1963, ‘595 BLA’ passing through one additional private individual, before acquisition by the former keeper in 1969. Used as a family car throughout the 1970s, the Mk.II was subsequently dry stored in the 1980s, where it remained until 2017.

Acquired by the vendor (equating to four private owners from new), ‘595 BLA’ was provided a comprehensive restoration with originality in mind over the following three years. A full engine overhaul with the fitment of electronic ignition; a bodywork restoration with bare metal repainting (in the original colour); gearbox reconditioning with new bearings and seals; front and rear axle overhauls; steering renewal work; re-chroming of as many original parts as possible; powder-coated wheels (understood the original) shod with new tyres; and interior leather re-colouring/re-conolisation.

Accompanied by a history file that comprises MOT certificates and tax discs dating back to the 1970s; a Jaguar Daimler Trust Heritage Certificate; the original RF60 buff logbook; numerous invoices dating relating to service history and previous work completed; AA Engineers Vehicle Inspection from April 1969; original handbook; interesting correspondence with Jaguar requesting an Overseas Dealers & Distributors book ahead of a Spain and Portugal tour; and a current V5C. Completed in 2020, the 2.4 is said by the vendor to be a highly original example with numerous original parts still fitted and the beneficiary of a sympathetic restoration, this is a rare example also boasting low ownership.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452