1959 Jaguar MK1 3.4 MOD

This highly desirable 1959 Jaguar MKI 3.4 ‘Mike Hawthorne replica' is now for sale.

This stunning Jaguar is reminiscent of Mike Hawthorne's MKI - VDU 881. Over many years, the previous and current owners have painstakingly restored it to replicate the legendary automobile.

Enjoyed by its first two owners it was subsequently purchased by a Mr Dobson who used the car on the road and campaigned it in club racing, most notably the BRSCC series during the mid-1970's.

In July 1977 the car was sold to a Mr Byford. The car then passed to Mr Grigg a friend of Mr Byford's in 1979. Mr Grigg enjoyed the car for a few years before it was laid up in the 1980's.

Fast forward and inspired by his friend and previous owner (Mr Byford) Mr Grigg teamed up with Messer's Byford and Hankin (a mutual friend) to carry out a ‘nut and bolt' restoration of the car. This trio all had engineering backgrounds and Mr Byford had significant experience with older Jaguars having previously worked on XK's and C Types.

The restoration process was approached with an almost obsessive level of attention to detail with the aim of producing a car to the very highest standards. Key to the ethos of the restoration was the desire to use original parts, many of which have been unavailable for many years. An illustration of this uncompromising approach to the restoration can be found in the sourcing of rust free Mk1 front wings and the correct closing panels from as far afield as Arizona. Similarly, and unlike most surviving Mk1's the car still retains the original press steel subframe. 

In a nod to its racing past the car benefits from several ‘period' correct modifications and bears some similarity to the well-known cars of the day.

During its restoration, it is known that the vehicle was painted inside and out in its new colour Jaguar British Racing Green by BMW's paint shop within their main distribution centre in Yorkshire. The colour a tribute to the British Racing driver Mike Hawthorn who famously died in a similar vehicle.

The uprated (short) engine with alloy sump was completely rebuilt and balanced by VSE Engineering to the desired specification. The detailed history of the restoration is included in the sale with original receipts.

The current owner acquired the vehicle in September 2019 and has since completed the following work on it during his ownership.

The engine has been lightened and balanced, the head polished and ported along with the fitting of larger valves and high lift cams with fully rebuilt 2” SU carburettors on a matched manifold and original Coomb's pattern carburettor trumpets. Exhaust gasses exit through cast manifolds and a bespoke 2” free flowing exhaust system like the Coombs/Hawthorn cars of the period. The engine further benefits from electronic ignition by 123 specifically developed for tuned XK engines. These mechanical enhancements were carried out following the advice of a classic car racer and engine builder.

Other improvements include a stiffer anti roll bar (originally offered as a factory option), adjustable shock absorbers and discreet alloy 4 pot front brake callipers.

The car is currently fitted with silver painted triple laced competition wheels with the rear spats modified to replicate the modified spats Mike Hawthorn's car in period – An additional setof body colour wire wheels with tyres.

The car is finished off with some really nice period correct details and factory options such as the Derrington equal spoke ‘sports' steering wheel (excellent OE steering wheel is included in the sale).  Replica Raydyot spun aluminium mirrors, Le Mans headlamps (£3.3s), 140 mph speedometer (£1.11s.6d), and Ace silver peak number plates (£4.18s.3d) and a D type pattern gear knob.

The vehicle was first registered in Coventry in April 1959 and originally the number plate was allocated to Jaguar 2.4 SE (2483cc engine with special equipment) in Cotswold Blue. The engine was upgraded to 3.4 in 1981 confirmed on the current V5C registration document.

This car stands out as a correctly restored example of an increasingly rare vehicle and is supported by a detailed and extensive history file and further enhanced by a range of ‘period correct' modifications. The mileage on completion of the rebuild was 19,905 miles. The car has covered less than 600 miles since completion.

If you have any more questions or would like more photos and would like to book a viewing, then please contact Benamy Smith. 

Office 01884 841110

Mobile 07776080198

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?