1961 Jaguar XK Sports Saloon

Make: Jaguar

Model: Mark 2 3.8L Sports Saloon

Price: $49,900 USD

Version: Sports Saloon

Year: 1962

Power: 3.8-liter DOHC XK inline-six engine

Fuel Type: Gasoline

Gearbox: 4-speed manual with overdrive

Color: Black

Interior Color: Red leather

Drive Wheels: Not specified

Steering Wheel: Not specified

Engine Number: Original, matching

Chassis Number: Not specified

Introduced in 1959 as the successor to the Mark 1, the Mark 2 combined sports car performance with the comfort and practicality of a four-door saloon. It established the idea of the true European sports sedan, with elegant proportions, thin pillars, expansive glass, and a distinctive Jaguar grille. Features such as four-wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, and the legendary XK inline-six engine provided impressive performance credentials. The Mark 2's success on the road and racetrack cemented its reputation as one of the definitive performance sedans of the 1960s, influencing the sports-sedan design that remains popular today.

This 1962 Jaguar Mark 2 Sports Saloon is an especially appealing example, presented in its original factory-correct black exterior with a red leather interior. The paint finish is older but presents well, embracing the character and patina of an enthusiast-owned vehicle rather than a freshly restored showpiece. The contrasting red interior adds visual appeal and is largely original, with new professionally installed floor carpeting and freshly upholstered front seats. Period details include Smiths instrumentation with tachometer, an adjustable steering column, Motorola transistor radio, period seatbelts, a day/night rearview mirror, and flush-fitting rear seat tray tables.

This Mark 2 retains its original, numbers-matching 3.8-liter DOHC XK inline-six engine and cylinder head, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive and a limited-slip rear axle. Additional equipment includes rear fender skirts, Vredestein tires mounted with chrome wheel disc covers, and period appointments that preserve its authentic character.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate confirms the car was ordered on August 28, 1961, and dispatched on September 1, 1961. Ownership and service records from June 1996 onward provide a detailed history spanning nearly three decades. Recent mechanical work by St. Louis Car Museum & Sales included a complete valve job on the cylinder head, rebuilt SU HD6 carburetors, new NGK spark plugs, gaskets, engine oil, and filters. The steering and braking systems were serviced with a new steering box, brake pads, resurfaced rotors, and replaced lower ball joints and dust boots. Additional items such as the radiator cap and fuel lines were also addressed, ensuring the vehicle is not only attractive but roadworthy.