Hello, people

I just bought a black on black, what I believe is a MK 2, 3.4 L.
4 speed manual, with power steering. regular wheels / hub caps.
It's a project, but not terribly rusty.
We don't know what year it actually is.
What I DO know, is that it has a solid rear axle, and 4 wheel disc brakes.

VIN number:
P181286

I'll see if I can get pictures of the old beast. Car was vandalized a number of years ago, and most of the glass is broken / missing. Fortunately, it did not always sit outside since then.

 

Jaguar Mark II powered by a 3.4 XK engine with power steering left-hand drive and a manual transmission without overdrive. This Jaguar Mark II was number 468 out of 753 vehicles manufactured during 1967 in the United Kingdom.

 

Gee, Mr. Daimler... you needn't be so vague


HEE HEE !!!!

Thank YOU

Learning something here all the time. I was convinced that after about 1962, all Jaguars had the independent rear suspension.
Seems that this one would be a sort of "base model" ?

 

it was the s type jaguar that had the irs,all mk2 jags had the solid rear axel and disc brakes all round,

 

They didn't do different models, the L is a red herring, they came with different engine sizes, auto, manual with and without overdrive, and some further options, wire wheels, heated rear screen, child locks etc.

Are the seats leather or vinyl ?

 

Well, it's not a very pretty sight, for sure... but it's being saved !

These pictures were taken the day we got it, where we had to load it onto my trailer.... dragging on 4 flat tires... with a hand winch !






The following day, while still on the trailer, we replaced the 4 slashed tires with a set of used ones that I had on hand.
then, after some "attention"... we got the engine running, and backed it up off the trailer.
The following day, after a little more "attention"... Took it for a short drive up and down a side road, going through all the gears.
All gauges function... tach, speedo... everything.
Also, a pleasant surprise... the entire floor is completely rust free.

On the search for glass now.

 

I think it's a 340 that started life as a MKII at the factory and then was released as 340.

The badge on the boot lid should be 340, and the black leather is probably vinyl or what Jaguar referred to as "Ambla" (as John was also inquiring)

So technically not a Mark II.

 

Finally... now we know !
Yes, the seats ARE vinyl.

 

Glad you are saving this car! What a shame that it was vandalized. I just don't understand why people do things like that...

 

The 340's also breathed better as they got the XK heads.
You can see the different design in the intake manifold gaskets.

 

Daimler is correct.
in the Small Saloons, the independent rear suspension of the E type was first incorporated in the S type of 1963 to 1968.

Then it went into the 420 of 1966 to 1968.

Then into the XJ-6 and 12 of 1968 onwards.

However around 1962, it was also incorporated in the MK-10 which turned into the 420-G.

The MK-2 was rebadged "340" in 1967 because it came with a 3.4 liter engine and vinyl upholstery as it was nearing the end of its production, although there were 380 models with a 3.8 liter engine but William Lyons thought it was stupid to place an order for "380" badges when there were few orders for 3.8 engined cars. so supposedly, you will never see a "380" badged car.

The MK-2 was never upgraded to independent rear suspension as the IRS cage just did not fit, that is why the S type is like an elongated MK-2.

 

What's the car number on the plate inside the bonnet ? The seats do look in too good a condition to be leather so probably ambla.

 

So, it DOES seem that this car is a sort of "base model". I will say this though... for a little engine, it's pretty snarly !

As mentioned, yes, vinyl seats... in MUCH better condition than the picture shows.

A couple years ago, I had a green 67' 420. Old knock-off wire wheels, power lok differential ( just an automatic trans ).
At first, I thought it was pretty cool... but after a while, some of the styling "quirks" started bugging me. Too much front over-hang... making it look VERY front heavy. Rear track was MUCH narrower than the front ( this always bothers me ).



This little "340" that we have now, as it has been identified, too me, is a better proportioned car.

 

The 240 / 340 version of the Mk2 was basically a run out model.

The very last Mk2's also had the tufted carpet and optional fog lights of the 240/340's

There is a rumor that the interior woodwork is of inferior quality to the earlier Mk2's, however, there is zero evidence to support this statement.

As stated previously in this thread, the heads on the 240/340 were of the cross flow design from the E Type (XKE in North America) and so produced slightly more power.

The manual gearboxes were also the later syncromesh on all gears as well, so you can find first as you slowly roll up to the red light.

240 / 340 models also had slimline bumpers (fenders) just like the S Type and 420's

The 380 was not a factory option as such. There were a handful of 3.8 litre engines doing nothing in the factory and so were fitted to chassis to basically get rid of them.
It is thought that there were literally 10 - 15 380's produced and they do have 380 badges on the boot (trunk).

The sale of the 380's was not marketed, nor advertised and as very few were produced, it is very rare to see an original one now.

 

And here we go again. Comments true except for the US market. I have a US 340 from 1967. Here are a brace of 1967 cars. The Primrose is a US 340--the silver is badges MK2. Other than the handed drive they are the same. Even the RHD car has ambla "hides". The 340 name in the US was a marketing tool which is well documented.

 

the MK 1 and 2 are definitely better proportioned than the S type and 420.

I never liked the narrower rear tracking of the S type and the 420 but that is a compromise of the independent rear suspension. Somehow it was corrected in the XJ 6 of 1968.

 

Melbourne, Australian delivered 1967 340 Manual Overdrive and this one was factory fitted with power steering (although removed by a previous owner)

 

Nice looking car. That model was never imported in the US (at the time). They show up from time to time but are all Grey Market. The small bumper 240/340 did not meet many of the new NHTSA or Dot rules. That plus the XJ6 was to replace all saloons in the US in 1968 but few came until 1969.

 

I like the looks of the Mk 2 / 340 /240 but I want a nice 420. I personally think 420 are a great looking car, but then again I liked the XR4Ti (Sierra) with the single plane spoiler. If I could choose the options and color, it would be dark exterior, black, BRG or possibly gray, and a dark interior. It would have a 4 spd od, chrome wire wheels and A/C. A sunroof would make it perfect.


XJ12C_Driver,
It looks like you have a solid project that you're bringing back to life.

 

Bob a black 420 with chrome wires is on my list too! Simply sexy. Red interior?