I have from time to time, schlepped through Pull-A-Parts or You-Yank-It, or my favorite, Rusty Acres, but I can’t say that I have ever found an intact Jaguar, like this 1966 Mark II, banished to one. How does that happen? It’s hard to say but let’s examine this example for clues. It’s located in Canton, Ohio and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $5,500.
With over 80K units produced between 1959 and 1967, the Mark II isn’t exactly rare but it is a noble and refined luxury brand from a storied British manufacturer. And of course, everything wears out eventually and gets to a point where it’s not redeemable. But Pull-A-Parts is a place where Chevy Cavaliers, Ford Tauruses, and Plymouth Voyagers go to bid adieu, not Jaguars, right? So what happens to an exalted brand, like a Jag, when it expires? Well, in Canton, apparently, they go to Pull-A-Part.
Honestly, this one looks a bit like a Liberian tanker with all of the rust streaming down the sides – and it shows to be invasive in places. But it’s all there, or so it seems, and the prominent, distinguishing grille hasn’t bent or lost a tooth – it’s surprising that part hasn’t yet been pulled. The mileage is recorded as being 60K miles but there is no claim made to that number.
As for the interior, I was expecting worse. The red leather upholstery could probably be rejuvenated – it doesn’t appear to be torn or ripped. The renowned Walnut trim will need refinishing but the gauges and switchgear are all there and even the dash pad is not split. And that’s amazing as the entire environment shows as sunlight faded so one would expect worse damage than is present. And, maybe best of all, this Mark II is a right-hand drive model!
Under the bonnet is a nice surprise it’s a 220 HP, 3.8 liter-in-line six-cylinder engine – the largest offered in a Mark II. Both automatic and manual transmissions were available and this example has a four-speed manual that may, or may not, have an optional overdrive feature. The concern, however, is the engine’s appearance, it looks as if it has been sitting for many, many moons in a non-running state. The first thing to check would be to see if the engine turns by hand, if so, that’s a good start. If not, that could be indicative of bigger problems. From there, it will take a step-by-step check to see if the engine is salvageable.
The seller suggests, “…but with a bit of work you could be driving around in luxurious style!” That’s a good thought, but it’s going to take, time, effort, and $$$. Still, I’m perplexed as to how this fabled luxury car ended up in such an ignominious setting in the first place. A second chance at life perhaps?
Not my type of car, by any means, but I like odd-ball cars so I clicked to look at it. Even though it doesn’t float my boat, I can see real beauty in this!
Right hand drive, wonderful color combo, natural wood, this car was stunning at one time. I hope somebody does her justice.
The 3.8’s the one to have, I believe. Sills and floors might be rotten, going by it’s general appearance. I suspect that it came from Britain – the yellow square is probably the remains of a 1970s-on Automobile Association (AA – breakdown rescue organisation) badge.
Not really my thing, but I like scruffy Mk.2s wirh body-coloured wire wheels.
I worked in a garage while going to college and one of these came into our shop. I have a soft spot for British clasics and it was love at first sight. The motor needed pulling and I will never forget how massive and heavy that unit is. Owning an MGTD Mkll with a motor I could lift from the frame with my two hands, I was not prepared for that. I wondered how that thing moved with so much weight up front. But, dammit what a gorgeous car.
Have a ‘66 3.8 S type with a manual.
This is the motor and trans to enjoy the car. Am surprised that the seats look this good. When I got mine the kids spent hours cleaning and conditioning the leather. They came back to life and these look in as good if not better condition. This is a big plus.
Looks rough and I would worry more about rust than the motor. Rust is difficult to stop in these while a good motor rebuild will cost a bit and should last at least 100k miles.
If someone is looking for a project MK2 this might be a good start. Would want to see it in person first.
As to being right hand drive, in the states that seems to lower the value. It also makes it somewhat easier to work on. Mine is left hand drive and little things like where cables run were designed for right hand and adapted for left hand.
Quite easy to find parts and prices for most things are okay. Seat covers, interior wood, and motor rebuild kits being an exception.
One two notes of cation. As Ric mentioned the motors are surprisingly heavy. Have heard stories of broken garage rafters and collapsed engine lifts while pulling these motors out. The valve adjustment procedure is a real pain in the butt and I have done valve adjustments on everything from Ducati desmos to Hudson flatheads.
Yes, valve adjustment a real pita. I remember watching a mechanic do one at my first job. All done with shims.
I had a Mk 11 2.4 – absolute junk.Clutch went,so engine had to come out,from underneath!RUN away from this one asap.
curious – I’ve had 7 Mk1’s and Mk2’s and the engine always comes out the top… I’ve got a 60 Mk2 2.4 working on right now. 2.4 is actually easier to get out the top than a 3.4 or 3.8.
For a 3.8/manual this is a very good starting point. While it would ‘ding’ “investment” value, converting this car to LHD (left hand drive) for not a great deal (between $500 and $1,000 depending on what you pay for parts). Thats a left to right dash face swap (leave the center/dash top alone), rack (as in rack n pinion) swap and move the pedals.
Wow! Interiors are usually much worse than this… I have a 66 3.8 4spd in white with a red interior. In process, but I could not save the seats on mine. In my opinion the REAL good thing about this car is the 4 speed. Most of these seem to have automatics. The 4 speeds are more valuable, and I think much more fun to drive (of course). These are very fast especially considering the weight as mentioned above.
Endeavour Morse! Please someone call the young bloke playing the fine English detective. What a nice bit of meta if he were to buy it!
Never ending nightmare to keep running after a god awful restoration.
It probably went there due to terminal rust underneath and an engine that would not run for “unknown” reasons at the time. That is what happened to my XK150S (a 1960), I sold it for the grand total of $300 in 1975 when 3 kids, mortgage, needed two reliable cars with room for 3 kids in the back seat, and no spare cash for a toy, lost storage space (a friend’s barn) made it imperitive. So, beware!
if not RHD, rat rod it (not true to the name: buff w/light grit, wax. Get safe, reliable and drive as is). May B that;s “survivor it”? LOL
These motors are great, being developed for a decade from 2.4 thru 3.4, here the last yr ’67. Them, BMW and MB really refined toward the 2JZ’s end in ’02 the ultimate in i6 (Barrara just too oversized).
I’d daily the car even w/current interior (cleaned, ‘soaped’, preserved).
To much money , knock $3000 off & it might sell
As a classic Jaguar owner of three different models, I know the costs of bringing them back to life … this one is not for me, thanks!
Finding something like this in a wrecking yard while disappointing is not uncommon. I found an 82 XJ6 (non-Federal – actually came from Egypt – still had the owners manual packet – in Arabic) with 80k on it and in excellent condition including a beautiful interior and full set of Pepperpots. They wouldn’t sell me the car…so I stripped it…
My local Jag guy, who has worked with Jags for 40 years, has a few cars in similar condition and considers them only as parts cars (or worse). Someone unfamiliar with these cars may attempt to bring it back to a decent driver, but the cost would be frightening. Start with a better example and in the long run, you’ll save a heap of cash.
Total agreement, Graeme.
Graeme
While I don’t disagree with you, for the right price (like $1,000-1,500 and a clean title) I might be really tempted to take a shot at it. My Wife say I see the potential in every hubcap. For a Jag, I’ll skip the hubcap and just go with a few lugnuts…
“Still, I’m perplexed as to how this fabled luxury car ended up in such an ignominious setting in the first place.”
Over the last 6 decades of finding older complete, rare, and unusual vehicles in junkyards, I have realized that many of these vehicles were inherited by family members who are only interested in the real estate where the car is sitting, and the realtor says “Get rid of the cars so we can put the property on the market.” So the new owners call a local towing company, often run by the same guys who own the local junkyard, and the cars end up in the yard.
Around 1978 I was at a local junkyard pulling parts off a 1948 Packard Custom 8 sedan when one of the guys working there came running to get me. The owner of the yard knew me and my interest in Packards, and he thought I might want another one. One of his roll-back trucks had just arrived with a beautiful 1956 Packard Patrician, still with a coating of dust all over it. The driver had removed it from the garage of a house going up for sale. It had 1962 license plates and about 11,000 miles on the clock. The car was loaded with options including factory A/C!
He said I could have the car for $300, I then said I would give him the $300 if it included towing to my barn about 20 miles away. Done deal, so I told the driver not to unload it there, and that afternoon I had another Packard sitting in the barn! A couple of days later I drove over to the address listed on the title, and sure enough, the house was for sale.
I called the real estate company and spoke with the agent. He said the family had recently found all the paperwork for the car and asked if I wanted it. I gave him my phone number and address, and a couple of weeks later a large package arrived from Texas, it was filled with all the info on the car including service records and even the original sales paperwork. Car was sold new for around $5,500, at the local Studebaker-Packard dealership in Bethesda, MD: McNey Motors, by that time it was a large Mercedes-Benz dealership, known today as EuroMotorcars. The original owner was a Viola McGrannery, and it was her grand-nephew who inherited the estate. He had NO interest in his aunt’s “old car”.
Funny how I can remember things like that, yet can’t seem to remember the birthdays of my niece and nephew!
Great story, Bill. You are not alone … I’m 75 and understand your message!
I used to frequent a bone yard in Central New Jersey where I’d pick the occasional part for one of my MGs. There was a Jaguar XK120 there that was in the process of returning to the earth in a condition a thousand times worse than the sad example pictured here. Every time I pass by that deteriorating carcass, I damn near cried.