Being new to the mk2 can someone give me a quick rundown on the model.

Was the 3.8 manual the same all over the world. (yes except for steering wheel on the other side)

All I have been able to learn so far was an option for wire spoke wheels. wooden steering wheel ??

The vehicle I have come across is a 1964 vintage with Moss Manual 4 spd w/ overdrive.
Is there a particular 3.8 model more sought after.

 

The early/mid-'60s was way before government intervention started to "guide" car specs, so the range of variations was much simpler. Market variations were pretty elementary - LHD/RHD, compression ratio depending on the local petrol (7:1, 8:1, or 9:1), lighting (e.g., yellow LHD-dip for France, deletion of fog lights on export models, etc.), instrument unit of measure (mph or kph, etc.).

Of far more significance were the running changes that Jaguar made continuously during production. Either Jaguar pioneered kaizen principles before the Japanese, or they were simply using their customers as unwitting test engineers!

As for optional extras on the Mk 2 (I don't know why everyone uses "Mk II" - just look at what is on the boot lid - it ain't roman numerals!), these included:
- steel wheel trims
- wire wheel finish (body color, stove enamel, or chrome)
- lockable filler cap
- laminated windscreen
- heated rear window
- radio and aerial
- seat belts
- Reuter reclining seats
- wing mirrors
- steel sunroof
- power-assisted steering
- and anything else the money-paying customer could convince the factory to do

The most desirable model depends on personal taste. For me it would be a late 3.8 with the full-synchro gearbox and on chrome wire wheels. Or if I am dreaming, one of the very few 340-variants that were actually supplied with the 3.8 engine from the factory (even though they still carried "340" on the boot lid).

 

Ok Thanks SCMike.

Was the wooden steering wheel another option or earlier standard equipment.

 

The Derrington wood rim steering wheel was one of the "competition options" offered by the factory. In that grouping were also 2" SU carbs, high-lift cams, aux fuel tank in the boot, electric radiator fan. The factory-supplied wood rim steering wheel came with a boss that incorporated the original horn ring. The wood rim steering wheel also was a popular after-market fitting on its own - if the steering wheel does not incorporate the original horn ring, it's probably one of those.

While we're on this general subject, it's worth noting that the 2.4 models (especially the "Mk 1") had available a bucket load of high performance options from the factory - if all the boxes were checked on those, the performance was virtually equal to that of the standard 3.4. The final 240 variant is one of my particular favorites - finally decent performance with the newly standard 1-3/4" SUs and latest head design, a short-stroke version of the twin cam six that loved to be revved (unlike the bigger lumps), much less weight on the front wheels. In 1976, I brought home from the UK a 1967 240 with the full-synchro OD box, and found to my surprise that the old girl could outrun brand new US-spec XJ6 (hampered by their emissions controls and auto-box).

 

Thanks again SCmike much appreciated.

 

Jaguar did offer some options, but generally all the cars were the same apart from the engines, and the price depended on the engine size. It was totally unlike today where there are long lists of optional items, and different trum levels. The 2.4 MOD I had was essentially the same as a 3.8. but a 3.8 commanded twice the price in the classic car market of 1988. Trouble was I could never afford to swap out the engine !!